"Everything depends on who the successor is,"he said. "I could picture our effecting thetransition if the right man or woman is chosen."

"I would have preferred [Carnesale'sappointment] hadn't occurred, but that's selfishreaction," Vernon added. "I don't know how strongthe presidents need was for a new provost."

But Rudenstine's need to nominate a provost toreplace Green was obvious to most observers ofHarvard's central administration.

Green's controversial departure came just onemonth before the University's kick-off of thelong-delayed $2.1 billion capital campaign, whichbegins this Friday.

Carnesale's contributions to planning thecapital campaign during its early stages will beuseful when he begins fundraising for theUniversity as a whole, Singer said.

And others say Carnesale's interpersonal skillswill also be an asset to him in his new job.

While Provost Green was outspoken about hisopinions--going so far as to contradict Rudenstineon issues such as the presence of an on-campusReserve Officers Training Corps and calendarreform--Carnesale has been called a "Team player."

"I can tell you Al [Carnesale] is a wonderfulperson to work with [who] naturally pulls peopletogether," Singer said.

Singer, a close adviser to the dean, saidyesterday he has no plans to follow Carnesale toMassachusetts Hall.

"I'm happy with my job [as Director ofCommunications and Public Affairs]," said Singer,noting that the question had caught him off guard