Questions about the level of qualification Harvard seeks also remain. History professor Alison Frank Johnson, who heads the committee charged with implementing the new policy in FAS, has publicly assured students that she expects highly-trained attorneys to fill the open positions. But the job listing, last updated on Sept. 16, does not require applicants to hold a juris doctorate.

Neal wrote that a J.D. is listed as “highly preferred” in the job posting and not required of applicants so as to allow candidates with “deep” investigatory experience, but not necessarily a law degree, to fill the vacancies. Neal added that McCants, the lead investigator who holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School, will oversee the work of the investigators.

The public posting further stipulates that the appointment will last for two academic years with the potential for renewal, a length that Powers said might cause recruitment problems for Harvard.

“Who’s going to leave a law firm for two years to work for Harvard?” Powers asked. He said that, in his opinion, the ideal contract length would be three to five years.

Even as it has struggled to staff the ODR, Harvard has made other hires to beef up its network of sexual assault support staff since last spring, when the College was hit with a Title IX complaint to be investigated by the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. The staff of the Office of Sexual Assault Prevention and Response has since grown two-fold, per the recommendation of the presidential task force led by former University Provost Steven E. Hyman. OSAPR is in the process of hiring a sixth professional, according to Neal.

—Staff writer Matthew Q. Clarida can be reached at matthew.clarida@thecrimson.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattClarida.

—Staff writer Madeline R. Conway can be reached at mconway@thecrimson.com. Follow her on Twitter @MadelineRConway.

—Staff writer Steven S. Lee can be reached at steven.lee@thecrimson.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenSJLee.