Schauer says that plans are too tentative to even offer estimates of the number of employees or programs that the Kennedy School will acquire from HIID. Financial details of the transition have also yet to be finalized, although the HIID task force report said the institute's assets, worth $24.8 million in June 1999, would be transferred to the schools acquiring HIID programs.

Nye said he wants to make firm arrangements by mid-April. Current plans call for HIID to be officially cease existence on July 1, the start of Harvard's fiscal year 2001.

Shauer says it will take several years for KSG to fully integrate HIID programs and personnel.

He adds that HIID has outstanding contracts for specific programs that KSG will oversee, even if the school does not plan to continue them.

"There are commitments and of course Harvard will honor these," says Schauer.

Several current HIID administrators, including the institute's acting director, declined to comment on the transition

But Richard B. Pagett, acting director of HIID, told The Crimson in January that many HIID employees would rather the programs be kept together.

"Most people are quite uncomfortable with the ideas of having the functions distributed throughout the University, but realize that this could be a unique and positive way to institutionalize these functions," Pagett said.