For the past eight years, Republican governors William F. Weld '66 and Cellucci have generally been supportive of higher education in Massachusetts. With Swift as governor, positive relations with Harvard are expected to continue.

"There is no reason to believe [Swift] will not be favorably disposed to our goals, which are education and research," said Jane H. Corlette, associate vice president of government affairs at Harvard.

Kevin Casey, director of federal and state relations for the University, said he agreed.

"We do expect to continue a fairly stable manner on issues affecting higher education," he said.