Dean of the Faculty Jeremy R. Knowles' attempt to involve more women in the University's capital campaign has made many alumnae say they feel he treated Harvard's sister school like a slighted step-sister.

In an April letter to all graduates, Knowles questions why more women are not involved in the capital campaign and presents the results of task-force meetings designed to find ways to improve alumnae connectedness to the College.

But many Radcliffe graduates say Knowles ignored what they have already contributed to the University and overlooked the needs of Radcliffe, which is trying to complete its own campaign.

Most significantly, twelve alumnae delivered a letter to Knowles and President Neil L. Rudenstine on May 13 criticizing Knowles for not consulting them or Radcliffe President Linda S. Wilson before sending the report.

Calling the report a "divisive strategy," the writers of the alumnae letter, including a Harvard medalist and several former Radcliffe trustees, requested a meeting with Rudenstine. At press time, they had not received a response.

Knowles says the report, "Harvard Women in the University Campaign," was never kept secret from Radcliffe. According to Knowles, the survey was discussed at a Faculty meeting and mentioned in his annual budget letter and in the Harvard Gazette.

"It can't be a surprise. It was well-known," he says.

But Wilson says the report, which was mailed with a cover letter from Knowles, was never discussed with her.

"The fact that Harvard wrote to all of our alumnae without telling us that they were going to do it is a strange way to function," she says.

Innocence or Arrogance?

Radcliffe exists mainly on its endowment and gifts and will not receive any money from the University's Capital Campaign. Its $150 million endowment is small compared to the Faculty of Arts and Sciences', which totals approximately $3.5 billion.

According to a 1977 agreement, Harvard cannot solicit donations from alumnae who graduated before 1976.

Susan S. Lyman '49 is the former chair of Radcliffe's Board of Trustees and former acting dean of the Bunting Institute, the College's multidisciplinary center of advanced studies for women. She says Knowles' letter shows that Harvard is "still a bastion of male superiority."

"If [Knowles] is claiming innocence, does he not know Radcliffe exists?" asks Lyman, who signed the letter to Rudenstine. "When is innocence arrogance?"

Many other alumnae, female undergraduates and Radcliffe administrators say they feel this is not the first time Harvard has ignored its sister institution.