Edwin Rogers is happy to be hitting the books.

Rogers, one of this semester's six new Institute of Politics (IOP) Fellows, is auditing Foreign Cultures 14, "Society and Politics in India."

But, as a former Capitol Hill lobbyist for India, it is only natural that she would be fascinated by the subject matter.

The IOP Fellows Program, founded in 1967, helps to bring experienced politicians, policy makers, journalists and philanthropists to the Kennedy School of Government for one semester.

While at Harvard, the fellows teach study groups at the IOP, take classes, meet with students and undertake "independent study and reflection," according to Theresa Donovan, the program's director.

"I think it [the IOP Fellowship Program] is just the greatest," Rogers says. "It brings in practitioners with real world experience and has them available to talk to students any time."

But, while the fellows are permitted to audit as many courses as they wish, their primary responsibility is to lead IOP study groups, Donovan says.

And, she adds, the guidelines for the program ensure that the fellows offer liberal office hours, and maintain an "open door policy."

"Our primary audience is one of undergraduate students," Donovan says.

This semester's fellows are Rogers; Carl Anthony, director of the Urban Habitat Program; former Senator Wyche Fowler, Jr. (D-Geo.); Leslie Goodman, who has served as deputy chief of communications under California Gov. Pete Wilson; Bruce Herschensohn, the GOP nominee for a 1992 California Senate race and Lynn R. Williams, former president of United Steelworkers of America.

Kathryn Whitmire, mayor of Houston from 1982-92, is serving her second term as an IOP fellow.

From Alexander to Simon

This semester's seven fellows are participants in an institution dating back to the IOP's foundation in 1966.

Former Harvard President Nathan M. Pusey '28 articulated the mission of the proposed program at a 1964 press conference at the Kennedy Library, according to a newsletter published by the IOP.

"What we have in mind is the establishing of a new kind of institution in American life within a university setting, which will furnish a meeting place for scholars and for individuals pursuing careers in practical politics and public service," Pusey said.