Dismissal means separation from the College for usually more than five years with the option to petition for readmission--a move that requires a vote of the full Faculty.

As a result of his court conviction, Douglas is on probation for five years and is already prohibited from seeking readmission to Harvard during this time.

"I am, obviously, disgusted that this motion has even been proposed," the woman assaulted by Douglas wrote in an e-mail message. "This counter-motion would essentially give a convicted sex offender a slap on the wrist and nothing more serious than withdrawal on his record."

The five professors who have proposed that Douglas be asked to withdraw are Paul, Professor of Psychology Daniel T. Gilbert, Associate Professor of Government Louise M. Richardson, Associate Professor of Computer Science Margo I. Seltzer'83 and Professor of Greek and Latin Richard F.Thomas.

"It is unclear exactly what the reasoning behind their proposal is, but I do know that it is not merely procedural," the woman assaulted by Douglas wrote. "It is possible, and seems likely, that they do not consider his crime worthy of dismissal. Under consideration is not whether he raped me (the Ad Board has already ruled that he did, in fact, rape me) but only what the punishment should be."

Gilbert and Seltzer refused to comment on the reasons behind their proposal. Richardson and Thomas could not be reached for comment.

The motion for Douglas' dismissal was first introduced in a closed portion of an Oct. 20 Faculty meeting but did not reach a vote, Paul said.