Several of Thompson's colleagues were willingto assert--not for attribution--that his negativeassessment had nothing to do with Berkowitz'scritical book review.

"One can only hope that those who are givenhigh-level decision-making authority know theperils involved and avoid the temptation to letother aspects of their jobs, or personalconsiderations, influence the decisions theytake," said Wells Professor of Political EconomyJerry R. Green, a former Harvard provost.

Green said when he was provost, he recusedhimself from tenure reviews involving candidatesfrom his own economics department.

"Even if I agreed with the majority in mydepartment, as I probably would have," he said,"there would be a perception that Ihad...[exercised disproportionate] influence."

In addition to the allegations about theimmoderate extent of Thompson's departmental andofficial influence, Berkowitz states in hisgrievance that Thompson's status as the husband ofCarol Thompson, associate dean for academicaffairs, constitutes a further invitation toimpropriety.

Berkowitz sets forth in his grievance hisconcern that because Dennis Thompson is a memberof the central administration and Carol Thompsonserves in the dean's office, he might beconsidered her superior within the administration.

Carol Thompson, however, denied in an interviewwith The Crimson both of Berkowitz's charges.

She said that although in her capacity asassociate dean she would normally be part of thegroup that reviews departmental blind letters andcandidate dossiers before they are submitted to adhoc committees, she "wasn't involved at all in thereview of the Berkowitz recommendation [from thegovernment department]."

"I just felt it was my husband's own field, andI shouldn't be involved," Thompson said.

To Berkowitz's assertion about the improprietyof her husband's potentially serving as hersuperior, Thompson offered an equally succinctresponse.

"None of his functions in any way relate to myjob," she said.

Berkowitz's Future

Many University faculty and administrators wereunwilling to comment on Berkowitz's case--not onlybecause it is confidential, but also because theysaid did not want to divulge the reasons for histenure denial.

One high-ranking official expressed concernthat Berkowitz "has become obsessed with this[case]" and is "discrediting himself" by harpingon the Harvard setback rather than moving on toanother institution.

Others, including students in Nesson's"Evidence" course, said they believed the lawprofessor's involvement in the case has turned itinto a media spectacle.