Alan J. Stone, the University’s vice president for government, community and public affairs, said professors are free to support whichever political candidates they like.
“Any academic at Harvard enjoys all the political freedom of any American citizen,” Stone said.
Kennedy School lecturer Marty Linsky, who led Acting Gov. Jane M. Swift’s search for a 2002 running mate, would not comment on West’s Sharpton role, but said his own outside political work contributes to his work in academia.
Moreover, in general terms, Linsky said he is in favor of political involvement among Americans.
“In a democratic setting, it is the responsibility of everybody to be involved in politics,” Linsky said.
Ogletree said Sharpton’s possible campaign is still in its early stages, and that West will continue working on Sharpton’s committee despite the prostate cancer surgery he is scheduled to have at the end of the month.
—Material from the Associated Press was used in the compilation of this article.
—Staff writer Robert M. Annis can be reached at annis@harvard.edu.