But analysis of mentions of Fineberg's name in the University's official publication, the Harvard Gazette, indicates that while the public visibility of the provost's office has increased over time, at least its official public profile has not changed since Rudenstine announced his resignation.
The average number of mentions of the provost in the Gazette in his last two years in office is 40 percent higher than the average number of mentions from first two years in office, but the number of mentions has remained constant over the past few months.
Sources close to the provost say that at a staff meeting right after Rudenstine's resignation announcement, the provost told his subordinates that he expected the office to carry on business as usual during the search.
And they say Fineberg is so ethical and so circumspect that the allegations he is campaigning for the presidency are absurd.
"That is ridiculous," says Assistant Provost Sarah E. Wald. "He wouldn't even tolerate that, let alone orchestrate that."