Of course, Rudenstine presumably hoped that the invitation would continue to spark protest, up to and through Commencement. And he did nothing to prevent tomorrow's protests.

In fact, Rudenstine has consistently stated his support for a peaceful protest, and, in the words of one protest supporter, last month he handed out Commencement Day Yard passes "like candy."

There's no way to know whether Rudenstine actually tried to engineer the massive protest planned for tomorrow. Even if he did, there's no way he'd admit to it.

Regardless, those of us who support lifting the ban should applaud his use of the Powell invitation to spur on the Faculty and student protesters, even if clever subterfug isn't really Rudenstine's game.

Come tomorrow, an awesome spectacle will face Powell when he takes the podium. Seven thousand pink balloons, each representing one gay soldier who has been discharged from the military since Powell took office, will be his audience.

Powell was in the Army. Boot camp is probably tougher than a chilly Commencement reception. But activists hope the repercussions of the protest will last far longer than his speech itself.

And they can thank President Rudenstine--literary scholar turned social engineer.

Why Neil Rudenstine is the smartest guy around