The Faculty members argued that any substantive punishment would go against the spirit of University administrators who have applauded the students for their "moral courage."

"Our feeling is that the outcome of this whole affair was a triumph for the Harvard community as a whole," Herzfeld said yesterday. "It would be inconsistent...to punish them for teaching us an important lesson."

The seven Faculty members urged against disciplinary probation because such an action would remain on the official records of the students involved in the sit-in.

"We would oppose [probation] because we do not find, and are of the view that a large portion of our community does not find, that the students' actions give "serious cause for concern," in terms of the motives that led to their actions or in terms of the peaceful and civil manner in which they have conducted themselves," the Faculty members wrote.

"We understand the administration's desire to do things by the book," Herzfeld said. "But we hope the moral consensus that seems to have emerged will be respected in equal measure."

--Staff writer Daniela J. Lamas can be reached at lamas@fas.harvard.edu.