“As we go forward, we fully expect there to be ample opportunities for this faculty and our colleagues across the University to contribute to the conversation and process in substantive ways,” he said. “It is a central task of our deans, and of our Faculty, to ensure the appointment of a strong and diverse faculty at every rank.”

While Kirby’s budget concerns were not news, two professors rose to question the scrimping that has of late become a standard part of administrative vocabulary.

Plumber Professor of Christian Morals Peter J. Gomes recalled the long tradition of these warnings—and “25 years of institutional restraints”—saying that the goals of expansion and fiscal tightening were hard to reconcile.

“We cannot afford to continue in this pinch-penny lifestyle,” Gomes said. “I keep waiting for the moment when you will say that relief is in sight.”

Kirby replied to Gomes’ comment by saying that prudent fiscal management was critical to keep Harvard above the water, at a time when other universities are particularly constrained and facing more severe budget cuts.

Summers, too, replied, noting the $6 billion dollar increase in the University’s budget since the early 1990s.

“It would be a mistake of the highest order to say the last decade was a decade of poverty,” Summers said, noting last year’s 12 percent gain in the endowment. “But we would all do well to be very prudent in the use of our resources.”

Professor of the History of Science Everett I. Mendelsohn then took the floor, probing what he saw as Harvard’s overly conservative fiscal approach. “We’re not quite in crisis,” Mendelsohn said.

Comparing the 12 percent endowment increase to the 2 percent growth of payout, Mendelsohn wondered what happened to the other 10 percent.

The remark kicked off a back-and-forth between Mendelsohn and Summers, their debate complicated by the arcane language of budgetary planning.

Summers interrupted Mendelsohn, citing the fact that the percentage of the endowment being paid out has in fact increased.

“Far be it for me to argue with an economist of your stature,” Mendelsohn replied. “But payout is less than half of what it’s been to the Faculty in the past few years.”

The pair circled each other for another round, Summers replying that the decreased purchasing power of the endowment was the more salient statistic, necessitating the Faculty’s frugality.

“I’ll take it up with your colleagues,” Mendelsohn said before taking his seat.

Kirby then took a stab at addressing Mendelsohn’s concerns.