That action, he said, had been taken three times: twice, several years back, when two banks refused to stop loaning money to the South African government; and two months ago, when a company failed to respond to Harvard's request for information about its South African operations.

Asked whether additional selective acts of divestiture would be forthcoming, Steiner said Harvard monitors its investments as part of an ongoing process, and that announcements of divestment actions were possible in the coming weeks and months.

He stressed, though, that "the purpose of the Harvard policy is not to divest," but to do what it can to urge companies to "act responsibly."

Harvard had been satisfied with improvements promised by several companies to which it had expressed concerns, Steiner said. He acknowledged that Harvard could not be sure that its communication with those firms was solely responsible for prompting those companies to match Harvard's ethical standards.

But, he said, "There has been no other university in the country that has been more active as a shareholder than Harvard University."

About yesterday's rally, Steiner said that "demonstrations are an important part of University life." He said that officials were not overly concerned about the possibility that the post-rally vigil outside Massachusetts Hall--where Bok and Steiner have their offices--would disrupt normal operations there today.

"We have had vigils before," Steiner said.