President Neil L. Rudenstine's decision last month to deny tenure to Associate Professor of Government Bonnie Honig has angered academics impressed by her scholarship and inflamed activists concerned with the paucity of tenured women at Harvard.

In addition the confrontation between protesters who feel the case warrants breaking Harvard's rule of silence about tenure decisions and those who must uphold the process--and its confidentiality--has led to a web of veiled accusations and incomplete information.

On April 30, 15 female senior faculty members sent a letter to Rudenstine questioning his decision and calling his denial of tenure to Honig "incomprehensible" given his public stance advocating equality for women at Harvard.

In their letter, which was obtained by The Crimson earlier this month, the Faculty members criticized the administration's failure to tenure an "excellent" scholar and questioned Rudenstine's commitment to a diverse teaching staff.

"Your decision to refuse Honig tenure has been greeted with shock and disbelief across the University and beyond," the letter said.

Some of the luminaries who signed the letter include Professor of Government Seyla Benhabib, Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures Alice A. Jardine, Professor of Government and Sociology Theda Skocpol and C. Douglas Dillon Professor of the Civilization of France and Professor of Women's Studies Susan R. Suleiman.

According to The New York Times, "the letter amounted to a near-revolutionary action" given the traditional lack of "militance" among Harvard's female senior Faculty.

In a response sent to the 15 women, Associate Dean for Affirmative Action Marjorie Garber also expressed "deep dismay" and urged Rudenstine to reverse his decision. Garber wrote that she supported the "strong letter."

Honig, 37, has published two books and a collection of essays, crossing an important hurdle for tenure. She has been offered tenure by Northwestern University with a related position at the American Bar Foundation, a Chicago research organization.

"Professor Honig has done fascinating work at the intersection of cultural studies and political theory," said Professor of Government Michael J. Sandel, who chaired the committee that recommended Honig's tenure. "She is in my view worthy of tenure at Harvard."

In retrospect, several signatories expressed regret over the public release of the letter, which was intended for Rudenstine's perusal only.

"I wish it hadn't been leaked, because I think possibly if it had not been leaked, President Rudenstine would have changed his mind," Mansbridge said.

In a private letter of response which administration officials declined to release but which was obtained by The Crimson, Rudenstine defended his decision and reaffirmed his commitment to the hiring of women.

"I assure you that my commitment to the advancement of women at Harvard remains unequivocal, and I have every confidence that we will continue to make effective progress," Rudenstine wrote.

In an interview earlier this month, Rudenstine said he would not reconsider his decision. He did not give an explanation for why Honig was denied tenure in either the interview or the letter in accordance with Harvard's tradition of confidentiality in tenure cases.