As Gross becomes less visible to students, a lower-level dean will fill the breach. At a symbolic level, this will reinforce the message that the College is moving away from extracurriculars.

But practically, extracurricular activities are virtually certain not to fall by the wayside.

Gross says that while he realizes he will have to divide his attention, he has promised to take on several of the most exigent student-life issues personally. He has promised to address the most pressing concerns facing student groups, embracing space and social alternatives to late-night drinking as top priorities.

Associate Dean of the College David P. Illingworth ’71, who handles student groups for Lewis, says Gross can build student support right off the bat by immediately attempting to solve one of the several space-crunch issues facing the College.

A Shaky Foundation

The atmosphere is tense on the first floor of University Hall.

Many administrators are unwilling to comment on the firing of Lewis or the upcoming restructuring—and not out of mere respect for Kirby and Gross.

With Lewis’ departure, members of his staff are left wondering whether their jobs will go next.

The fact that the administration would force out the gung-ho Lewis sends the message that nobody’s spot is completely secure.

“It’s hard to see someone who loves Harvard so much be forced out like that,” says Avery, who seemed more forthcoming than other administrators in Lewis’ office. But Avery will depart Harvard after this year.

It does not help that administrators are uncertain that their jobs will fit into the new structure, regardless of their loyalties to their former boss.

Gross said in an interview last month that he had already met with Maull and that though things are in a “pretty delicate stage,” he has a few ideas of what he might like to do.

He said, for example, that he is thinking of having four or five senior deans working under his office. He will probably staff the office with people from within the University, but might conduct a nationwide search.

Still, some administrators say they have no worries about keeping jobs at Harvard.

“I have been assured that there’s work to be covered,” Associate Dean of the College Thomas A. Dingman ’67 says.