While I was gone, the Crimson landed a scoop, snagging news of a list of 30 names of potential candidates for the Harvard presidency, compiled by the presidential search committee.

The leak came after the search committee distributed the list to the Board of Overseers, which suggests that the Corporation is trying to work more closely with the Board of Overseers and that there are risks to trying to work more closely with the Board of Overseers.

Unfortunately, the Crimson didn’t get the list itself, just the revelation that it existed, so it could confirm only 11 of the 30 names it contained.

At least three Harvard leaders made the list—Radcliffe Institute Dean Drew Gilpin Faust, Provost Steven E. Hyman, and Law School Dean Elena Kagan.

Tufts University President Lawrence S. Bacow, Stanford Provost John W. Etchemendy, University of Cambridge head Alison F. Richard, Brown University President Ruth J. Simmons, and Princeton University President Shirley M. Tilghman were among the prominent figures in higher education nominated for Harvard’s top post.

The list also mentions three leaders who made the final rounds of Harvard’s last presidential search, which resulted in Lawrence H. Summers’ selection in 2001—Lee C. Bollinger, now Columbia University’s president; former Harvard Provost Harvey V. Fineberg ’67, who now heads the Institute of Medicine; and Amy Gutmann ’71, currently president of the University of Pennsylvania.

It would be nice to know how the Crimson got eleven names, but not the other 19, when it didn’t have the actual document. My guess? Their source wouldn’t show the list to Crimson reporters, but would confirm or deny names that were put to him/her.

A few thoughts on these names. Some, it seems to me, are obvious but unlikely candidates. That group includes Steve Hyman, Lee Bollinger, Harvey Fineberg, and Shirley Tilghman. A couple have already proclaimed their lack of interest: Ruth Simmons and John Etchemendy.

The rest all seem plausible enough.

What’s striking about this list is the narrowness of its parameters (influenced to some extent, I’m sure, by the fact that if the Crimson was guessing these names, its guesses would be fairly predictable possibilities). But every one of these names is from academia, and most are current university presidents; the two farthest removed would have to be Elena Kagan and Harvey Fineberg, and they’re not very far removed.

Which suggests that the search committee really wants someone familiar with the lay of university land. No taking a chance on a Washington outsider this time; no gambling on a socio-political celebrity, as Larry Summers was.

None of these names would attract the outside interest that Summers did. If the Corporation cares about this, then it could make up for the lack of broader star power by picking a woman, the novelty of which would generate headlines.

If I had to bet right now, I’d put my money on Drew Faust…..