"I would like to see us be as reasonable as we can in not undercutting the incomes of the least-paid employees of the University," Skocpol said. "It's very much to our advantage to have a cooperative relationship with our employees' unions. I feel worried about some of the things I hear."

Other members of the council said they do not believe the University is mistreating its wage-employees.

"I think Harvard treats its staff very well," Paul said. "It has a very good relationship with its staff, especially unionized staff, and it is improving. They are treating them fairly. The thing to do is not to increase the numbers."

Tenure

According to the letter, the Faculty made more internal tenure appointments during the last five years than in the previous half decade.

In 1995-96, 30 percent of tenure offers were made to Harvard's own junior faculty, a percentage Knowles called "an unusually high proportion."

Some members of the Council praised the increasing trend of tenuring junior faculty from within the University's ranks.

"These are the highest figures in the 10 years I've been here," said Peter K. Bol, professor of Chinese history. "It's an appropriate level. I think it's a very good sign that departments are hiring the kinds of people that are getting promoted internally."

While Skocpol also commended the increase in internal tenure appointments, she warned that the University's tenure policy is driving away talented junior faculty.

"One of the saddest things about Harvard is that associate professors who are extraordinary as scholars and teachers are asked to leave here because they are decided to be not as good as somebody else who may be much more senior," Skocpol said.

Information Costs

According to the letter, the Faculty's goal of raising $965 million in the University capital campaign is slightly ahead of schedule, but only 22 percent of the Library's $78 million goal has been raised, a shortfall that is an important concern, Knowles wrote.

Council members said they also are worried about the lag, since the libraries are crucial to faculty and student research.

According to Bol, donors may be less inclined to give money to the library campaign because air conditioning to preserve books, for example, is not a glamorous target for their donations.

In the letter, Knowles also cited the high cost of wiring the entire University to the Internet. Calling the new technology "unavoidable," council members said they agree with the letter that access to e-mail and the World Wide Web is a necessity in today's high-tech environment