Last spring Harvard did an extensive survey of its junior faculty, questioning them on their life and other experiences. Though they've been in for months, the responses have not yet been released.

Speculation is widespread among those polled that Harvard is sitting on the results because they reveal something less than positive.

Not so, says Dean K. Whitla, the University's survey maven: "The timing is unrelated to the results."

In fact, Whitla adds, negative results "wouldn't be a lesson to postpone it.

That would be a reason to release it earlier."

Whitla says a report should be ready for the Faculty Council in mid to late November.