The delay is in the details.

Negotiation Gap

Last fall, the leaders of Radcliffe'sSchlesinger Library, Bunting Institute, MurrayResearch Center and Public Policy Institute beganholding regular meetings to discuss ways for theoften-insular arms of the college to collaborate.

At the same time, Wilson and Sheerr heldregular meetings with President Neil L.Rudenstine, discussions which have alsoperiodically included Harvard Corporation membersHanna H. Gray and D. Ronald Daniel, Provost HarveyV. Fineberg '67, Dean of the Faculty Jeremy R.Knowles, Pforzheimer Director of the SchlesingerLibrary Mary Maples Dunn andRadcliffe-commissioned consultants Anthony Knerrand Jim McAvoy.

Dunn and Gray, former presidents of SmithCollege and the University of Chicagorespectively, are no doubt helping inspire theacademic focus of the new conglomeration; Knerrand Daniel are pounding out the financial details.

However, sources close to the discussions pointto a divide between the two camps. Harvard andRadcliffe officials face a fundamentaldisagreement over issues of fundraising, alumnae,the use of endowment funds, power and governance,as well as the perennial custody battle overundergraduate women.

From Harvard's perspective, in addition toadding a new jewel to its academic crown, thenegotiations with Radcliffe are fundamentally abusiness proposal.

As such, officials on Harvard's end haveexamined--and questioned--Radcliffe's financialsuccess. While it would be inappropriate tomeasure Radcliffe by Harvard's scale, Radcliffe isnevertheless proportionately behind Harvard inthree crucial areas--campaign, investment yieldand endowment payout.

Many say Radcliffe should not be expected to beas successful as Harvard--with a narrower focusand constituency base.

But if Radcliffe demands a future that is too"grandiose," the resulting financial supportnecessary from Harvard would seem too draining andjeopardize a merger deal.

Harvard has no incentive to acquire Radcliffeif it were a financial liability. Harvardcurrently enjoys the use of many Radcliffebuildings--like the Quad Houses and HillesLibrary--free of charge.

On the other hand, Radcliffe would not want toenter an agreement that would challenge its claimto its now $170 million endowment--sizable for aninstitution of its size.

Nor would it be wise to sacrifice programsdeemed important to Radcliffe's historical missionand commitment to its alumnae.

So while Harvard's negotiators hope to cutRadcliffe's institutional fat, Radclifferepresentatives continue to "think big."

The summits have taken a pause for the timebeing, as the Radcliffe Board of Trustees meet anddiscuss possible concessions and options.