At many universities the provost plays the leading role in logistical and financial matters, the traditional concern of Harvard’s vice presidents.

Under the administration of former University President Neil L. Rudenstine, knitting the University together was proclaimed as a top priority, and cited as one of the reasons the Office of the Provost was recreated after its 40-year absence from Harvard’s administration.

But still, Hyman says, opportunities for increased collaboration remain and are essential for the University’s success.

Though specific changes are still in the works, Hyman says that he is “sharpening the focus of the provost’s office” to center around University-wide academic planning—from interfaculty initiatives to developing the University’s land in Allston.

Such centralized planning efforts by the provost have drawn criticism in the past. Some in various schools complained that former Provost Harvey V. Fineberg ’67 weakened the time-honored autonomy of other parts of the University by strengthening the provost’s role.

But officials present at the budget review meetings say that the collaboration with the center was beneficial to the individual schools.

“It was an opportunity to get together with the leadership in a way that was new, and I thought very effective,” Ware says.

And though they say it is too soon evaluate whether the provost’s role is changing, leaders at the various schools say an overpowering central administration is not a concern.

“I don’t think it’s going to develop in a way that’s going to be oppressive and uncomfortable,” says Graduate School of Education Dean for Administration and Academic Services Joel Monell.

Balancing the Budget

With the faltering economy, many of Harvard’s schools are facing budget woes not seen in a decade at the world’s wealthiest University.

Last month Kennedy School of Government Dean Joseph S. Nye announced the school’s estimated deficit for Fiscal Year 2002 is now $5.6 million. And many schools have had to tighten their financial belts in recent months.

The budget review meetings, Hyman says, addressed how to “best face the results of an uninspired stock market.”

At a time when “the budgetary outlook for everyone is uncertain,” Knowles says that these meetings are particularly important.

Officials at each of the schools say the economic slowdown has forced them to reevaluate programs.