Denying speculation at both Princeton and Harvard universities, Wilson School dean Anne-Marie Slaughter '80 said over the weekend that she would not leave the University to become dean of Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.
"I've never talked to anybody about being a candidate for the Kennedy School," Slaughter said. "I'm incredibly happy with my job and I have no thought of going anywhere. There's no way I would take that job."
Uninformed speculation
Current Kennedy School dean Joseph Nye '58 announced in September that he intends to step down from his post this June, after an eight-year tenure as dean.
This led to speculation that Slaughter, a former Kennedy School professor and international law expert whose husband continues to be a professor at Harvard — though on leave this term at Princeton — may be a top candidate.
"There has been speculation, but it's uninformed," said Patricia Craig, executive director of Harvard's Center for European Studies.
Nevertheless, she added that Slaughter "would obviously be a wonderful choice."
In a Feb. 13 article, the Harvard Crimson quoted a Kennedy School professor as saying Slaughter would be a strong candidate for Nye's post.
Wilson School professor Stanley Katz also reported hearing the rumor.
"All I know is that people are talking about it," he said. "It could be a rumor, but people are talking about it."
Slaughter said the rumors were misguided. "It's completely absurd," she said. "This is a great example of how wildly far rumors are from reality."
A great presence
If Slaughter were to move, however, Wilson School professors said it would be a great loss.
"She's doing a great job here and only starting to do the job she's doing," Katz said.
Slaughter, who is just completing her second academic year as dean, came to Princeton partly to bolster the Wilson School's international relations program.
She is the president of the American Society of International Law and a noted scholar of global governance.
"She added a lot of excitement to the international side of the school," economics professor Uwe Reinhardt said. "I like her, so I'd be sad if she left."
One Wilson School professor, speaking on the condition that his name would not be used, said that Slaughter would not be likely to leave her current post for another university any time in the near future.
"It seems more likely that she will take a government leave-of-absence if a Democrat is elected," the professor said, referring to the possibility that Slaughter would be tapped by a Democratic president to hold an office.
Harvard deliberations
Steven Kelman, professor of public management at the Kennedy School and a member of Harvard's 10-person search committee, could not comment on Slaughter's particular case.
"Deliberations need to remain private," he said.
As far as a timeline, however, Kelman expects Lawrence Summers, Harvard's president, to make the decision "before the end of the academic year."
"I would say sooner rather than later," Kelman added.
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