Since the presidency of Derek C. Bok, Neil L. Rudenstine's predecessor, Harvard University has been anxious to minister to the world.

But even as Rudenstine pledges to increase Harvard's commitment to reach out from its ivory tower, one of the most visible and long-standing pieces of Harvard's real world involvement is fighting to remain intact.

The Harvard Institute for International Development (HIID) was founded during Bok's tenure to provide developing countries with the expertise they need to improve their economies. HIID's experts--sometimes drawn from the Harvard faculty--get a chance to do real-world research while they consult.

Today's HIID has funding in the tens of millions of dollars--mostly from the U.S. government--and advises about 60 countries.

But international scandal, management difficulties and budgetary troubles have tarnished HIID's reputation. As a result, the Institute's days could well be numbered, according to Provost Harvey V. Fineberg '67.

If HIID does survive, its future will likely be dictated by a special task force convened last spring. This committee is considering options including spinning HIID off as a private venture or dividing it up among Harvard's schools.

And so anxiety runs high at the HIID headquarters in the sleek University office building at 8 Story Street. The Institute looks to be in as much trouble as the governments it advises.

"It does not depress me," says acting HIID Director Richard Pagett. "But it would be disingenuous to say its business as usual here. It creates a morale problem--we've got 200 people who are going through a pretty tough time right now."