Starting salaries for new assistant professors will rise more than 12 percent next fall. Current salaries will be adjusted for junior faculty, and salaries for individual colleagues in especially competitive fields may be raised. Additionally, the $3,000 housing supplement will be raised to $5,000 and the salary step based on number of years at Harvard will be eliminated

"I am concerned that the grass on our side of the fence be as green as we can make it" Knowles said.

Also, Dean of Undergraduate Education William M. Todd III encouraged professors to make use of the new Undergraduate Council book-ordering project.

This spring, the Council will operate an internet site that will compare online book prices, much like the Flying Chickens site that made an appearance earlier this semester.

"We urge you to call up the Web site and enter your book orders," Todd said.