In fact, Faculty opinion appears highly polarized on the issue of Core reform, with several vocal professors espousing extreme positions, while the remainder are unsure of what the wisest course of action of action would be.
No clear majority has emerged behind any one alternative, nor does Verba's report seem to marshal enough support to clear the Faculty unscathed.
However, Verba's venerable reputation and the great deal of effort his committee has put into the reform proposal may influence the Faculty's final decision.
"Any time such a high-powered committee claims to have spent lots of time on something like this, they have a lot of inertia behind them," said Professor of Chinese History Peter K. Bol, who sits on the Council.
Bol accused the committee of failing to address alternatives to the Core as it now exists, choosing to focus instead on minor, almost cosmetic changes.
"The Core Review Committee is not interested in alternatives," Bol said. "They want to get their proposals passed."
Bol admitted that those opposed to the proposal have not reached a consensus for a single plan of action, but he said: "I think we're seeing it's time to look for alternatives."
Among the dark-horse candidates are a proposal to teach all Core courses in small, seminar-style courses, and Bossert's suggestion of a system of majors and minors.
The controversy and time commitment the issue of the Core have raised among the Faculty have led some to the conclusion that extended debate might be the only way to implement a strong system and avoid future hassles.
"I don't think people are going to want to keep reviewing the Core every few years. It's too traumatic," said Paul. "Whatever you do, you don't want to tinker with it in a year or two."
If the Faculty do vote to accept some version of the committee's legislation, professors and administrators said, the new requirements will almost certainly not go into effect until the 1998-99 academic year.
Current students and next year's first-year students, who were all accepted under the old Core curriculum, would be exempted from any new regulations