"This is a loss for the University as well as Social Studies," said Charles S. Maier, Krupp Foundation Professor of European Studies and Benhabib's predecessor as chair of the committee.

"It's good for Yale, and we'll have to scramble to fill that hole," Maier said.

Williams Professor and Government chair Roderick L. MacFarquhar said he felt "great regret [at her sentiments] because she's a very great thinker...I'm very, very sorry that she's going."

"It certainly does hurt [the government department]," added Harvey C. Mansfield, Kenan professor of government. Despite "harbingers from sources at Yale [of her departure], they were hoping to have her stay," he said.

Benhabib said she has been negotiating with Yale for some time over the prospect of her relocation.

"Any serious offer at an Ivy League school takes one to one and a half years," she said. "This started well before this past week."

Wesley T.W. Shih '01, who took a lecture course and a seminar with Benhabib, said she had mentioned her disagreements with the University in the past.

"She had problems with the institution," Shih said. "It was just a general feeling that she gave out."