Some worry about Radcliffe's focus shifting from undergraduates to research.

But many say they feel a conflict between their loyalty to Radcliffe--the women's college that nurtured them--and their desire to contribute to undergraduate education and life.

"Wherever those [undergraduate] programs [for women] are going to be I'm going to be inclined to support them," says Molly N. Ross '72. "I'll scrutinize them to make sure they still have the same effectiveness."

If Harvard takes over the direction of undergraduate programs, she says, and runs them in a similar way, she would probably prefer to promote them by giving to Harvard.

But Ross says she continues to feel "sentimental attachment to Radcliffe."

Hanging On

Yet without any definitive conclusion to thediscussions--and galvanized by a perceived threatto its independence--Radcliffe women are willingto give their college the benefit of the doubt andrally around their alma mater.

Alumnae donations for this year peaked at anall-time high of $15 million.

Radcliffe has raked in a series of large giftsand pledges--many from after the negotiationsbetween Radcliffe and Harvard were publicized.

The Pforzheimer family donated $1 million inMay to general support of Schlesinger Library.

A $1.3 million bequest--ironically earmarkedfor the support of undergraduate programs--fromBetty Ann H. Vail '34 was realized in May.

Also in May, Radcliffe announced theestablishment of a $3 million matching fund froman anonymous donor.

But the question remains: Is this year aone-time boost?

Alumnae donations, which have been historicallysporadic, suggest this year may be an anomaly.

Like Harvard, Radcliffe has been engaged in acapital campaign since 1992.