While the University tries to sell its summer school program as the complete Harvard experience, some summer school students have been disappointed this year by the dearth of "real" Harvard professors teaching their classes.

"Neither of my professors are from Harvard," says one summer school student taking a cell biology class and Calculus. "One is from SUNY and one from some other place. I thought they would be from Harvard, but they're not."

Though the Summer School elicits teaching assistance from each College department in the fall, few Harvard professors are available to instruct for the summer.

"Many use the time for research or vacation, so they are not free to teach," says Dean of Students in the Summer School Christopher Queen. "We can't twist anyone's arm if they aren't available."

But the University still has to provide a range of courses to summer school students, including Harvard undergraduates, meaning the summer school administration has to seek outside assistance.

"We have to serve regular Harvard students, so we offer the range of courses that are offered in arts and sciences during the year," Queen says.

"But, we have holes in the lineup, as it were."

Because of the shortage, the summer school turns to "distinguished faculty from other institutions outside of Harvard," with many of the professors coming from local schools such as Tufts University, Boston College and Brandeis University.