Beyond student disillusionment with administrators, however, Pfister faces a challenge that stems from the transient nature of his new position, several students and colleagues say.

The length of Pfister’s tenure as interim dean will be limited by how long the search for the permanent dean takes. FAS Dean Michael D. Smith has said that he will convene a search committee for the permanent dean in the fall but has not said when he expects to make an appointment.

In the past, faculty members have raised concerns over the impact of what former Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dean Theda R. Skocpol has termed “interim-ness” on Harvard’s ability to make progress on ongoing issues. In 2008, when David R. Pilbeam was serving as interim dean of the College, former UC President Ryan A. Petersen ’08 claimed that Pilbeam and other interim administrators unfamiliar with their roles had been “cavalier” in their decision-making.

Now, as Pfister begins his tenure, students question the impact an interim dean can have in a tenure that will be measured in months.

“You can’t underemphasize the fact that this is still an interim position,” Kanuparthy said, adding that he does not expect “grand shifts” in College policy during Pfister’s relatively short tenure.

Still, Elaine Scarry, an English professor who served on the Ad Board review committee with Pfister, said she believes Pfister’s extensive experience at the College will render his short tenure “less of an impediment [to progress] than it would normally be.”

For his part, Pfister said he believes that within the year he can take steps to foster community at the College for both students and faculty.

“I do want to make it very clear that this office needs to be out, needs to be visible, that the dean can do quite a lot by being a presence in the community,” Pfister said.

—Staff writer Madeline R. Conway can be reached at mconway@college.harvard.edu. Follow her on Twitter @MadelineRConway.