The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) yesterday delayed approval of a proposed change to the Handbook for Students which would allow the Dean of the College to place a student on medical leave of absence.

After several faculty members voiced objections to the language and substance of the proposed change, Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis '68 agreed to withdraw the proposal and resubmit it to the Faculty later this month.

According to the proposal, the Dean of the College would be able to place a student on "Leave of Absence for Medical Reasons" in situations in which "the student's behavior poses a direct threat to the health or safety of the student or others, or has seriously disrupted others...and the student's behavior or threatening state is the result of a medical condition."

Many faculty members voiced their support for the medical leave proposal.

"I am supportive about this legislation," said Cabot Professor of the Natural Sciences John E. Dowling '57, who is also the Leverett house master. "It is everyone's benefit, in benefit of other students and in benefit of the student involved."

"These are real situations which we have encountered in the last several years," Dowling said. "[In the past,] we did not have the means to deal with such a situation."

But Christopher P. Jones, professor of classics and history, abstained from voting on the medical leave proposal at last Wednesday's Faculty Council meeting, although he said he generally favors the proposal.

"My only reservations center on the questions of a student's refusal to cooperate with University Health Services (UHS)," Jones said.

"[I am concerned] that the ques- tion of a student's refusal might create a gray area as to whether this was indeed a medical leave [or a disciplinary decision]," he said.

Many faculty members objected to the proposal's vague language.

"The wording makes it sound as though the simple refusal to cooperate [with University Health Services] could result in a leave of absence," Jones said. "But I'm sure that was not intended."

Professor of Government Seyla Benhabib said she was concerned by the potential impact of the proposal on students' rights.

"There is basic question of whether a university can require or oblige a student to undergo psychiatric examination by its university health services," Benhabib said. "There is both a question of medical ethics and civil rights involved."

But Jones said he believes the proposal will pass at the next Faculty meeting.

"I am personally confident that the motion can simply be rephrased to take account of all these concerns," he said.

Other Handbook Changes

The Faculty did, however, unanimously pass two other proposed changes to the Handbook for Students.

One modification clarified the University's regulations concerning enrollment in courses meeting at overlapping times. The other proposal simplified the policies regarding the inclusion of academic or disciplinary problems in "Dean's Letters" of recommendation.

Resources 'Report'

Yesterday's meeting also included a presentation and written chronology from the FAS Committee on Resources, which was created last year to examine the allocation of resources between the central administration and FAS.

Abbe Professor of Economics Dale W. Jorgenson detailed the current and capital account flows between FAS and the University's central administration.

Jorgenson noted, for example, that the central administration's grants to FAS far exceed the Faculty's reciprocal contribution.

Professor of History Mark A. Kishlansky discussed the committee's concerns about the compensation of junior faculty, such as whether resources are currently being best utilized and whether the compensation package attracts the best possible junior faculty.

He also spoke about the Faculty's growing information technology needs.

Higginson Professor of History and of East Asian Languages and Civilizations Philip A. Kuhn said he believes the committee's presentation fell short of a full report.

"The document distributed today, and that includes the oral supplement today, is not, I gather, a 'report' as cited in the charge and I hope it will not be entered in the record as such," Kuhn said.

Kuhn raised many specific concerns with the committee's report, including the issue of salary structure.

"Does the cryptic language about meeting 'competitors' salaries' suggest that we are moving to a market principle?...Is a market principle to be extended to senior faculty?" he asked.

Dean of the Faculty Jeremy R. Knowles defended the committee's report.

"The activities have been much more laborious than Professor Kuhn imagines," Knowles said.

Faculty-Student Tensions Continue

Marco B. Simons '97, chair of the Undergraduate Council's Student Affairs Committee, posed several questions during the meeting's question period regarding the Faculty Council's recent rejection of the Undergraduate Council's proposal to extend student representation on the FAS Standing Committee on Public Service.

Discussion of this issue was not included on the meeting's agenda.

Knowles, visibly agitated, repeatedly asked Simons to consult with Lewis.

"May I suggest that you discuss this matter with the Dean of the College?" he asked.

This exchange came on the heels of the recent letter of Secretary of the Faculty John B. Fox, Jr. '59 urging Undergraduate Council members to limit comments in Faculty meetings.

Matthew W. Granade contributed to the reporting of this story.