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%addressees
%Prof. Patrick Winston, MIT
%Prof. Berthold Horn, MIT
%Prof. Mike Brady, Oxford
%Prof. Ruzena Bajcsy, chairperson, CSD, Univ of Penn
%Prof. Ram Nevatia, USC
%Prof. Azriel Rosenfeld, u. of Maryland
%[[[Candidate People:  Horn, Kanade, Rosenfeld, Brady, Fischler, ...]]]

Dear  xxxx:



I am writing you in regard to Thomas Binford. It is our policy at
Stanford to review and evaluate the work of our research faculty
periodically through inquiries of people of eminence outside of the
University. This particular review of Professor Binford is concerned
with his reappointment as Professor (Research).

A key criterion for continued appointment includes the requirement that a
professor continue to perform research of high quality and impact.
The accomplishments and continued promise of faculty members are
evaluated by comparison and ranking with outstanding contemporaries. This
comparison and ranking is the keystone of our decision process.

We request then, not a recommendation from you regarding our decision,
but rather an assessment of the stature, general reputation and quality
of his work.  We hope that your assessment can be responsive to our criteria
and in the context of comparison of him to his contemporaries whose work
may be familiar to you; e.g. B. K. P. Horn, M. Brady, A. Rosenfeld, T.
Kanade, and with whom you regard comparison as relevant.
[[[making sure that we delete from this list the
person to whom the letter is addressed!]]]. For your use, I enclose a
recent resum\'e.

In developing your assessment, the following questions may provide a useful
framework:

    1. How well do you know Professor Binford's work?

    2. How would you characterize his ability to carry out creative and
       significant research?

    3. What basis is there for expecting him to make significant
       contributions in the future?

    4. Can you cite any specific contributions that have had a significant
       effect on his reputation?

    5. How does he rank in comparison with his peers?

I am deeply appreciative of your taking time from a busy schedule to
respond to this inquiry. I also wish to assure you that your response
will be kept confidential within the Senior Faculty of the Department
and University administration. We would
appreciate a response from you by January 15, 1986; if this presents a
problem could you please contact me.  

Sincerely,


John McCarthy