Although Harvard president's reports, particularly under former president Derek C. Bok, have often been used as a forum to address the national politics of education, Rudenstine, true to his academic roots, grounded his case for diversity not in terms of current political exigencies, but in philosophy; he addresses the views of John Stuart Mill, not Newt Gingrich.

Those who have worked with Rudenstine say that demagogue is a hard role for him to fill.

"He is more likely than most presidents to work behind the scenes with other presidents and members of Congress, and he believes that can be more effective than speeches," says provost, adding that he approves of Rudenstine's efforts to avoid becoming a "single-issue" president.

Professor of Law and Director of Harvard's Civil Rights Project Christopher F. Edley Jr. praises Rudenstine's "quiet leadership" role on this importance there is more to do.

"This issue is critical...and in that respect these presidents need to find a way to crawl out of their ivory towers and make it to the public megaphones," Edley says.

Many see a void nationally which university presidents need to fill.

"Twenty years ago there were a number of [university presidents] who were great public leaders, who helped shape the public agenda with respect to higher education," recalls L. Steven Zwerling, a senior director at the Ford Foundation.

"They not only ran their own institutions, but also saw their presidencies as a bully pulpit from which to talk about higher education at large. Today we have very few people thus inclined," he says.

Living up to History

When Rudenstine became Harvard's 26th President, he inherited the University's 125-year concern for diversity and one of the most influential seats in higher education. The two could prove a powerful combination.

Harvard's presidents have nearly unmatched and undisputed public influence on issues of higher education which, in turn, creates high expectations.

"As a general proposition, when the President of Harvard speaks, people listen," says Dean of the School of Education Jerome T, Murphy.

On diversity, Harvard's presidents have said a great deal.

President from 1869-1909, Charles W. Eliot, class of 1853, was the first Harvard president--and one of the first people in the nation--to argue that a diverse student body improves education. Eliot said he wanted students from various "nations, states, schools, families, parties and conditions of life."

"Diversity" now also connotes ethnicity, but Eliot's words served as a foundation for an obligation Rudenstine says he feels today.