Cost-Cutting Plan Leads Departments To Juggle Offices

Arrangements to move Faculty departments from University-owned offices in Holyoke Center and the Kennedy School of Government's possible move to the MBTA yards have caused several departments to change plans for moving their offices.

Hale Champion, vice president for financial affairs, said yesterday that the MBTA yard plan, which depends on the yards' disposal, would place the Economics and Governments Departments in Littauer and all Center for International Studies (CFIS) offices at 1737 Cambridge St.

The CFIS is a proposed umbrella organization that would include the Russian Research Center, the Center for International Affairs, the Institute for International Development and the Center for European Studies.

This is a reversal of a proposal issued last January which would put the Economics Department at 1737 Cambridge St. and the CFIS in Littauer.

Following the January announcement, James S. Duesenberry, chairman of the Economics Department, said he was dismayed over giving his Littauer offices to "a bunch of second rate international planners."

His complaints resulted in the switch, sources said last week.

Duesenberry said yesterday he prefers Littauer because he has maintained offices there for over 20 years.

Adam B. Ulam, director of the Russian Research Center branch of the CFIS, said yesterday he agreed with the current arrangement because it will cause fewer center offices to be moved from other locations.

He said that 1737 Cambridge St. is "very shabby," but that he is satisfied because he feels Littauer is worse in many ways.

These relocations, which are still tentative and dependent on the MBTA site construction, are part of an effort by the FAS to cut $350,000 from the rent it pays the University for office space in Holyoke Center.

Richard G. Leahy, associate dean of the Faculty for financial affairs, said yesterday the cost-cutting move was on schedule, with three departments relocated for next year.

From Holyoke Center the History of Science Department will move to the Science Center and the Linguistics Department to 5 Divinity Ave. The Committee on General Education will move from 1737 Cambridge to the Morton Prince House.