status of the arXive

["Ari Belenkiy" <belenka@mail.biu.ac.il>]

Dear List:

Let me adress a question of the status of the arXive: 
http://arxiv.org/

"arXiv is an e-print service in the fields of physics, 
mathematics, non-linear science, computer science, quantitative 
biology and statistics. The contents of arXiv conform to Cornell 
University academic standards. arXiv is owned, operated and 
funded by Cornell University, a private not-for-profit 
educational institution. arXiv is also partially funded by the 
National Science Foundation."

Recently the editors of HTR (Harvard Theological Review) rejected 
my paper because it was published with arXive.

My arguments are that arXive is just a "repository" and "not 
refereed" and hence cannot be considered as proper publication. 
Besides, arXive in fact encourages further publication in the 
solid journals.

HTR says in response that everyone now can read my paper - since 
it is visible by Google. Therefore it was rejected.

What about news that Harvard joined OA? Or is it just fiction?

Ari Belenkiy
Bar-Ilan University
ISRAEL