Jane Corlette the acting vice president for government, community and public affairs, was so sure Harvard would find and name a permanent replacement for her within a month that on April 15, she wagered $5 on it.

But a month later--and nearly 18 months after the position became vacant--no replacement has been found. Corlette has been filling the post since former Vice President John H. Shattuck stepped down in early 1993 to join the Clinton administration.

The inability of the University to fill the post suggests that Harvard may have been spurned by one or more of its top choices for the post. In the fall, sources said Harvard had developed a short list, and Rudenstine reportedly spent a weekend in Washington D.C. last month to interview finalists for the job.

Rudenstine has downplayed the University's inability to fill both Corlette's post and the vice presidency for finance. At a press conference last Thursday to announce the kick-off of the University's $2.1 billion capital campaign, the president said he did not think the absence of two vice presidents would slow down the University.

Rudenstine said the vacancies pale in comparison to the situation when he arrived at Massachusetts Hall in 1991. At that time, the new president was faced with nine administrative appointments.

But the president did not explain why the two vice presidencies have remained vacant for so long.

Robert H. Scott announced his retirement as vice president for finance in September. But the search for a successor has dragged on so long that Scott actually started work in a new position with Partners Health Care Inc.-- the company formed by merger of Massachusetts General Hospital and the Brigham & Women's Hospital--before Harvard had even named a temporary replacement, Elizabeth C. "Beppie" Huidekoper.