The Crimson reports on yesterday's faculty meeting, at which the primary subject was the discussion of the Task Force on Teaching and Career Development's report on teaching at Harvard.

Just a month ago, professors packed into University Hall to discuss the final report on general education. Yesterday, at the Faculty’s first chance to hold a formal discussion on this winter’s undergraduate-teaching report, professors addressed a half-empty room.

The Crimson op-ed page has strong feelings about attendance at faculty meetings, and this lede suggests that that feeling has carried over into the pages of the news. (Wouldn't be the first time that's happened at the Crimson.)

Nonetheless, the paper is right to suggest that the report on teaching has been "overshadowed" by recent events at Harvard, and that's too bad—its recommendation that faculty salaries be linked to the quality of their teaching would make for a radical and welcome change at the university.

The fate of this report really depends on incoming president Drew Faust, who was at the meeting yesterday.... If she decides to press for it, her support would make a huge difference. But pushing for the report might alienate some members of FAS, which is her political base. This will be an early test of Faust's willingness to challenge her most supportive constituency—and possibly to demonstrate that, as president, she won't be in anyone's pocket.

If she lets the report slide into oblivion, then those who fear an FAS run rampant will have more evidence for their argument...