Leaves of absence for assistant professors will be granted next fall for the first time since the war, Provost Buck announced yesterday. Greater freedom for professional advancement on the part of assistant professors through reading, writing, research, or travel is the purpose of the half-year sabbaticals, he stated.

"Young men are now burdened down with too much routine teaching," Buck commented. "A man's reputation depends partly on his publication of material." Harvard has traditionally expected young professors to publish at least one book before giving them a permanent appointment.

Vacation With Pay

Under the new policy, an assistant professor may once within his tenure apply for a half-year sabbatical, with full salary. Leaves will occur during the second or third year of an assistant professor's term. In no cases will leaves be granted in the final fifth year of a tenure, and only in exceptional cases in the first and fourth years, Buck explained.

Men now eligible to apply for leaves are assistant professors in the first or second year of their tenure and those who receive appointment to this rank in the future.

Applications for leaves are acted upon by vote of the Harvard Corporation on the recommendation of the Provost.