Wilson says the restructuring originated in a "multi-staged plan that was developed in a broad consultative process in the early 90s."

"We are constantly in touch with individual students," she says.

Not Adequately Informed?

Students have protested not only what they see as administrators' failure to consult them, but also administrators' failure to provide timely and sufficient information about the change.

Garlin, who was then serving as co-president of RUS, says she learned of the restructuring only when she picked up The Crimson the morning after the announcement; Peimer learned of the changes from a Crimson reporter calling for comment on the story.

Wilson says the senior administration has attempted to convey the details of the restructuring to students by giving access to The Crimson and communicating directly with student leaders.

Wilson says she thought the December meeting went "very well," and Liazos, despite her concerns, described the meeting as "upbeat" in an interview afterwards.

But other students say the meeting was tinged with hostility.

"There was a certain amount of resentment," Lieberman says.

Peimer says she is "really glad that President Wilson had the question-and-answer session," but adds that there is "a strong feeling that she didn't answer some of the questions that were asked."

Implementation

Wilson says Radcliffe will implement the new structure slowly over the next four years, with preparations to recruit new staff taking up the bulk of the first year.

Wilson says she anticipates that the first concrete results of the new plan will appear next fall.

Wilson cast the restructuring as a vehicle to take Radcliffe into the 21st century.

"Over time, programs for students must evolve," she says.