Ironically, Hrones and those he criticizes share some common ground. Both he and the current overseers stress the need for diversity of background on the Board.

"We strive to achieve geographic balance, as well as to include women and minorities," says Armstrong. "Every year, we run at least three women."

"I think its very important that as the makeup of the alumni body changes that they are representative of the student body," she says, herself the fourth-ever woman president of the historically male-dominated Board.

Bayley adds that the nominating committee "certainly considers [diversity] one of our top concerns."

"All the committee members are interested in having a diverse board, and the nominations reflect that," he says.

Considerations of breadth of background among the Board are also stressed by one of this year's candidates, Deval L. Patrick '78, the former assistant attorney general, charged with running the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division.

"The University has in a variety of ways made clear its institutional interest in the educational value of a diverse university and a diverse school population," he said.

"It's something I certainly seek as a parent, and it contributes strength to that community and to the society as a whole," he added.

Another candidate, Jamie C. Gorelick '72--a "pioneer" in Harvard's co-education story, having lived in Quincy House in its first year of experimental co-ed housing--says the University has done well to integrate women into its most essential decision-making processes.

"Things have changed a lot from when I attended Harvard... I've seen a lot of progress and on every issue--you couldn't play squash at Hemenway [Gym] because you couldn't take a shower. All those things are gone and that's great," Gorelick says.

Calling herself a meritocrat, Gorelick, now a vice chair at Fannie Mae Corporation, notes that "Harvard has changed with the times.

"As women take their places in business, foundations, the educational world, [and] government, they will find their ways onto boards like the Board of Overseers," she says.

Patrick also adds that as a black candidate, diversity has particular importance to him.

"My contributions to the board go beyond my race, and I think that is how I was selected," he says, "But if I can also contribute a diversity of background and view to the board's deliberations than I am anxious to do so."