"I don't think the committee ever felt that itwould be deeply offended if none of these modelswere selected," said Ford Professor of the SocialSciences David Pilbeam, a committee member, "It'snot a detailed road map. You have a model and aperson, and as you reduce the list ofpossibilities, maybe you change the model."
Knowles said two months ago that a third of thereport's recommendations on College life couldonly be considered by Jewett's successor.
Lewis said yesterday that he agreed with all ofthe recommendations made in the report he helpedauthor.
It is unclear, however, whether Lewis willimmediately adopt these recommendations, whichcould include randomization of the houses andreorganization of the senior tutor system.
When asked whether Lewis has adequateadministrative experience to be dean of theCollege, Acting President Albert Carnesale saidthat Lewis has demonstrated his ability throughhis leadership of the Committee on the Structureof the College and his performance on othercommittees.
"I think he is a superb appointment, andHarvard University is fortunate to have him doingthis," Carnesale said in an interview yesterday.
Jewett also praised Knowles' choice.
"Harry and I have been close friends as well asclose colleagues for a number of years," theoutgoing dean said. "He has an extraordinary rangeof knowledge of undergraduate life at the Collegeas well as being a highly respected teacher in the[Computer Science] department."
House masters universally praised Lewis'sappointment yesterday, saying they hoped to see anintegration of the two halves of the deansresponsibilities, residential life and academics.
"It really brings the academic role of the deanto the forefront, since [Lewis] is an academic,"said Karel F. Liem, Dunster House master. "I hopethat this would result in the houses playing agreater role in the academic endeavors."
"I would love to see the academic life of thehouses strengthened, more house seminars, housetutorials," said Sandra A. Naddaff, Mather Housemaster.
Knowles first approached Lewis with the offertwo weeks ago, but Lewis did not accept the offeruntil Tuesday.
"There's no part of the structure review thatled me to believe I would be approached," Lewissaid yesterday. "I did not seek it. But I found ithard not to accept the position."
Lewis was to begin a semester-long sabbaticalyesterday. He intended to spend the spring writingand revising one of his three text-books.
"My sabbatical will be taken up withfamiliarizing myself before I assume theposition," he said.
Lewis will return to teaching Computer Science121: Introduction to Formal Systems andComputation in the fall.
"It has been the source of my greatestsatisfaction to get to know undergraduates. Icertainly don't want to lose that." He said.
"I try to remain open and accessible, and Ihope to continue that," he continued. "It's harderwith 6500 students than 100, but it's myambition."
Harvard's governing boards are expected toapprove the appointment later this month.
Sarah J. Schaffer contributed to thereporting of this story.