“Mr. Winokur is essentially investigating his own actions and approving or disapproving the resulting report,” Rep. John D. Dingell (D-Mich.) and Rep. Peter Deutsch (D-Fla.) wrote in a February letter.

“You can understand why disinterested observers might conclude that the report’s independence, or at least the appearance of independence, has been compromised,” their letter said.

Students who led efforts to oust Winokur from his Harvard position welcomed Friday’s announcement.

“We’re happy that Harvard University has taken a first step in distancing itself from the Enron fallout,” said Arin Dube, a member of HarvardWatch, a student organization that released a report in February calling for Winokur’s resignation.

Benjamin L. McKean ’02, also a member of HarvardWatch, said that he hoped for an open search for Winokur’s replacement.

“His resignation will hopefully lead the way to an inclusive search process that doesn’t just include Corporation members but also includes students and faculty members,” he said.

Just two days after Winokur announced his resignation, the Board of Overseers confirmed the selection of Robert E. Rubin ’60 to replace Stone, who last December announced his decision to retire from the Corporation at the end of this academic year (see related article page A-1).

The search for Winokur’s successor however, has not yet begun. But Stone said that it would start “fairly soon.”

“We’ll probably be looking at what void there is on the Corporation, whether we need a scientist or an academician,” Stone said.

—Joseph P. Flood and Elisabeth S. Theodore contributed to the reporting of this story.

—Staff writer David H. Gellis can be reached at gellis@fas.harvard.edu.

—Staff writer Catherine E. Shoichet can be reached at shoichet@fas.harvard.edu.