But again, the situation and Radcliffe's identity crisis are compounded somewhat by its pre-Horner history. Any discussion of Horner and Radcliffe today inevitably draws upon comparisons with past eras--particularly that of Mary I. Bunting, who preceded Horner.

Some people say that Bunting (referred to throughout Harvard and Radcliffe as "Polly") was a much better spokesman for Radcliffe than is Horner currently.

They say this is partially so because Bunting had a more visible institution to work with and more independent maneuverability. Anyone involved with the Bunting administration acknowledges that she had very specific ideas about what she wanted.

"She wanted this place to be coeducational and set out to do it quickly. Matina doesn't have those specific kinds of ideas, partially because she hasn't had as many years to formulate them," a long-time member of the Radcliffe community said recently.

Bunting had a vision and was able to take the Radcliffe trustees with her towards her goal. According to one dean, "when they [the trustees] got to 1971, they weren't sure they wanted to be there or wanted to go forward," and that's the situation into which Horner was plunged.

Susan Lyman labels the differences between the Bunting and Horner years as one of style. "Matina is not a person who has bought the national PR approach. We want to do a good job and we aren't anxious to blow our horn," she says.

"She's not militant and angry. She knows that we're dealing with a long male tradition. Radcliffe is not in a stance that is angry," the trustee says.

Former Master Stewart says the job of Radcliffe president and dean is now a very different one than a decade ago when Bunting was at her peak. "The president of Radcliffe is in a rather restricted position--not a completely free agent. The job entails much more diplomacy and negotiation. It's less a job of setting policy for Radcliffe than finding the best way to fit Radcliffe into Harvard."

Besides, he says, if Horner chose to charge ahead in the Bunting style, "if Mrs. Horner said 'I think this is what we should do,' it would only divide the trustees," a situation everybody associated with Radcliffe is anxious to avoid.

Alberta Arthurs, former dean of Radcliffe admissions who is now acting dean of freshman, says that Horner's low profile in comparison to Bunting has to do with a feeling that women at Harvard have won all the gains they're going to through militancy and a new tactic is now necessary.

"A lot of us feel very much that the time has come to give up being adversaries and become administrators within the system. Radcliffe has gone from administrative militancy to administrative management and that makes fewer headlines."

Horner agrees with this assessment. "Carrying banners forth is not going to solve administrative issues. That era sensitized people," but, she adds, it is no longer applicable to the Harvard-Radcliffe situation.

In her gradual approach to these problems, an approach that fits well with the peace-seeking style of leadership practiced by Bok, Horner has been just what the trustees have wanted.

"This has been a touchy period and some people on both sides have been abrasive. I think she has been very good at seeing the right thing and not creating trouble and frustrations," says Radcliffe trustee and executive committee member Francis H. Burr '35.

From all accounts Horner and the Radcliffe trustees see eye-to-eye on almost all issues. She has long expressed her sympathy with the non-merger merger agreement, an arrangement with which the trustees now feel comfortable.