The Harvard and Radcliffe doctorate programs in Arts and sciences will probably be merged by the end of the year.

The merger is "being considered very seriously," according to J. P. Elder, Dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. ELDER, who favors the move, said yesterday that he expected the faculty of Arts and sciences to consider the matter formally next month.

Currently, members of the faculty and Administration are discussing the move informally, prior to consideration by the GSAS Administration Board and the committee on Educational policy.

A merger would mean that the 27-year old Radcliffe Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, with a current enrollment of 503 women, would be abolished and that the undergraduate college would remain as the only Harvard bastion against official co-education.

Radcliffe Declines comment

Mrs. Charles Kerby-Miller, Dean of the Graduate School at Radcliffe, declined comment on the proposal until she has explored "the various advantages for both sides." She said that the issue was now being discussed at Radcliffe.

A decision for merger would be made by the Radcliffe Council (Trustees) and the Harvard Corporation, although members of the Faculty arrange the move.

Within the University there is a feeling, according to Elder, that women come to the Radcliffe GSAS planning to study under the Harvard Faculty and ought to receive a Harvard doctorate. Also, there is much duplication in the present separate administrations and admissions procedures.

An imbalance of financial aid funds available at Harvard and at Radcliffe also tends to prejudice against female applicants.

"Anti-feminism" May Threaten

Elder added that the only apparent objection to the merger would be straight anti-feminism--"a prejudice, not an argument."

Radcliffe also has programs in Business Administration and in Teaching separate from Harvard's. All Radcliffe women receive instruction provided by the faculties of Harvard University.

Since the time when Harvard professors gave their lectures in the Yard and trudged across the Common to offer identical classes at Radcliffe, Harvard and Radcliffe have merged closer together. Now, only administration and admissions remain separate.

President Bunting, it would seem, envisions the undergraduate Radcliffe College as a distinct unit that must maintain an autonomy and name of its own, but she also sees the benefits of making a female graduate program in name just what it is in fact: a Harvard education.