The purpose of further visits may be only togive more alumnae a chance to feel heard sinceWilson has already listened to the gamut of views.
A group in Washington stressed the importanceof single-sex housing in creating a community ofwomen, while three alumnae in Cambridge presenteda plan to restructure the college as the RadcliffeCenter for the Advancement of Women to highlightgender studies within Harvard University.
Alumnae even split over what Radcliffe shouldbe called.
"If you're trying to define who you are, whystart in the hole?" Wong asked, who said shethinks the tagline "college" only fuels confusionfor the institution.
Smith goes as far as to say prospectivestudents--expecting two colleges for the price ofone--are being misled.
"Women who get in to Harvard are gettingdeceived to a certain degree. Radcliffe isn't adegree-granting institution-- it's one moresignature on the diploma," Smith said. "That'sdeception that Radcliffe has more power andinfluence than it really has, and plays a biggerrole in women's lives than it actually does. Doesa school whose motto is veritas need deceptivemarketing tools?"
Wilson and the trustees are being pulled in onedirection by such views, but must also grapplewith alumnae who are uncomfortable tampering withtradition.
"It's important not to monkey around with thename," said Priscilla Redfield-Roe '42, whoattended the Cambridge tour stop. "It has a namewhich should be respected as its overallidentity."
While zigzagging the map, Wilson heard somecomments again and again. Near-universal concernsincluded continuing Radcliffe's commitment toundergraduates in some capacity, protecting theinstitution's financial assets, strengthening thealumnae network and making Radcliffe a force forchanging societal perceptions of women's roles.
With Wilson now in caucuses with Radcliffe'sBoard of Trustees, negotiations with Harvard canproceed. Wilson will likely work through herbirthday tomorrow as she preps to turn her focusinward.
That will not necessarily quell the phone callsfrom alumnae requesting information.
"I think until some decisions have been made,that thirst is not going to be satisfied," saidSusan J. Oliver '78, president of the RadcliffeClub of Chicago.