Once a candidate has been given the department's nod, the department asks Dean of the Faculty Jeremy R. Knowles to issue a "hunting license," says Williamson.

The University convenes an ad hoc committee including President Neil L. Rudenstine himself to examine the scholar's writings and teaching. An offer isn't extended until all sign off: the department, Knowles and Rudenstine. After the go ahead is given, potential professors are wined and dined until they agree to come to Harvard.

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So, wherein lies success?

Williamson says the department can recruit forever, but no one will say yes if current members of the department are grumbling about the internal problems. One key to success in attracting faculty seems to be improving the quality of life for junior faculty.

According to Williamson new enthusiastic hires have done just that in the economics department.

In the past--even as recently as five years ago--graduate students and even junior faculty used to bad mouth the department because they were treated poorly, Williamson says. Not so anymore.

"It wasn't planned," he says. "Harvard has been hiring younger senior faculty and as the senior faculty get younger they can connect better with junior faculty."