Lescano is also a member of a new Facebook group, “Students For Bruce,” comprised of those he has taught or tutored.

Even Lowellians who have not known Watson in the classroom, like Ryan M. Donovan ’07, are joining the cause. Donovan said he has often heard section with Watson described as “an extraordinary experience.”

“You don’t often hear ‘extraordinary experience’ in regards to an economics section,” Donovan said.

Donovan had even been looking forward to taking Ec 10 next fall, but has begun to reconsider. “I honestly don’t know if I’ll take it if Bruce is not in it,” he said of Watson.

Even those enrolled in Ec 10 this past year sought after Watson.

“Everyone [in Ec 10] is jealous of his section,” Lescano said. “They always perform the best.”

Henry Cheng-Yu Lin ’06, a lucky Watsonite, wrote a letter to University President Lawrence H. Summers and Dean of the Faculty William C. Kirby, asking for an exception to the FAS policy.

“Since Harvard is determined to pursue and foster academic excellence, Bruce’s contribution to students’ understanding of economics cannot be exaggerated,” Lin wrote.

Kirby could not be reached for comment last night.

Lin also circulated a petition asking the University to allow Watson to remain an Ec 10 TF.

“Hopefully the petition will show how much students support him,” said Lescano, one of the signatories.

Student efforts have yet to soften the administration.

“I know he’s an extremely good teacher…but there is no way we can re-appoint him,” said Ropes Professor of Political Economy and Chair of the Economics Department Alberto F. Alesina. “Rules are rules.”

Students are frustrated by this rigidity. “I have no idea why the rule is in place,” Lescano said. “There are so many awful TFs at Harvard that when you come across a really amazing one, it’s stupid to force them to leave.”

—Daniel J. Hemel contributed to the reporting of ths story.

—Staff writer Lulu Zhou can be reached at luluzhou@fas.harvard.edu.