"He's been a leader in addressing many issues of social concern," said Vice President and General Counsel Daniel Steiner '54, specifically pointing to investment policy. "Whether or not people agreed with his policies, Harvard was way ahead of the pack in shareholder responsibility."

And Harvard Alumni Association President John P. Reardon '60, formerly athletic director, praised Bok's interest in undergraduate life and his efforts to improve the physical plant of Harvard's athletic facilities.

But some had mixed evaluations of Bok's tenure. Overseer Peter H. Wood '64, who was elected to the alumni board on a pro-divestment platform, said the president had been too conservative.

"He created a level of stability that some people might consider even too stable," Wood said.

Wood said Bok had not put enough emphasis on fundraising for weak programs such as African and Women's Studies, and instead used the funds for projects like expanding athletic facilities.

"Other people might have had different priorities," Wood said. "Bok presided over the marriage of Harvard and Radcliffe, but Women's Studies isstill weak. Things like that depend on strongleadership from the top."

Bok demured from citing his mainaccomplishments as president, instead pointing tothe great changes that Harvard has undergoneduring his tenure.

He cited the diversification of the studentbody and faculty, the creation of the KennedySchool out of "a small office in Littauer" andeducation initiatives such as the Core Curriculumand New Pathways, the innovative Medical Schoolprogram that emphasizes the case study method overtraditional classroom instruction.

Bok said some of his successor's chiefchallenges will be projects Harvard has startedduring his tenure. The planned University-widecapital campaign, the move towardinternationalization of the curriculum and anincipient environmental studies program are allinitiatives the next president will inherit.

In addition, Bok said his successor will face aworsening climate of criticism of higher educationand a shortage of government funding.

Restructuring

In what could amount to a major restructuringof the University's central administration, Boksaid the University may appoint a provost, alongwith the next president, to share leadershipduties during the capital campaign.

The president would handle fundraising dutiesand overall governance, and the provost would bemore involved in academic affairs, Bok said.

"My estimate is that it's going to be difficultnot having someone who can share the load with thepresident," he said.

Harvard's last provost, Bok said, was appointedunder former President James B. Conant, who servedas president from 1933 to 1953.