Carnesale also oversaw the new centralization of information technology under the central administration. He organized a University Committee on Information Technology to analyze the rapidly changing effects of information technology on three areas of the University: academics, commercial partnerships and intellectual property.

In the spring of 1995, Carnesale wore three administrative hats when Rudenstine took a temporary medical leave of absence. At the time, he served simultaneously as acting president, Kennedy School dean and provost.

Carnesale cited the value of his experience at Harvard in accepting his new UCLA post yesterday.

"Serving as Harvard's provost, and working with Neil Rudenstine for these past several years, has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career," he said.

University officials characterized Carnesale as a strong leader who alternates between direct management and delegating tasks to subordinates.

Carnesale's management style is "guiding and participatory," according to Donoff.

"He is someone who, for the issues that he needs to deal with, becomes involved with those issues," Donoff said.

Knowles also said Carnesale is "urbane, clear and thoughtful" as a manager.

A Strong Reputation

At UCLA, administrators and students said Carnesale is known as a hard-working scholar whose reputation for high-quality work has preceded him.

"I've heard he's a commanding figure," said UCLA Vice-Provost for Undergraduate Education Judith Smith. "When he speaks, people listen. He's decisive."

Smith applauded Carnesale's goal of catapulting UCLA into the ranks of top universities.

"We need a leader who'll not only talk the top line but who'll deliver," she said. "He certainly has delivered at Harvard."

Chris Tymchuck, the president of the UCLA Graduate Students' Association and a member of the chancellor search committee, said he was pleased with Carnesale's appointment.

"I think that it was a good choice," he said. "I think he'll make a strong chancellor."