Despite plans for an unprecedented growth of its research programs, the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study is quietly slimming down its central administration in the wake of its Oct. 1 merger with Harvard.

In the past four months, at least five top-level administrators have left Radcliffe Yard, and officials say they will purposely not replace several in hopes of eliminating jobs now handled by Harvard.

"In general I would say that the merger with Harvard makes possible handing over some of our work [to Harvard]," says Acting Dean Mary Maples Dunn. "We've already begun somewhat to reduce some of the administrative costs."

For instance, the merger has made Radcliffe's office for undergraduate programming obsolete. Harvard is now responsible for all female undergraduates.

Thus, when former Assistant Dean of Educational Programming Joanne L. Allen-Willoughby resigned her post this summer to work for the city of Boston, Radcliffe wasn't displeased.

"Sometimes a departure can be fortuitous for both parties, because we don't necessarily need everyone we had when were an independent institution, but also these people are able to find great new positions," says Michael A. Armini, Radcliffe spokesperson.

Willoughby declined to comment on her recent departure from Radcliffe.

As the Harvard Management Corporation takes charge of Radcliffe's newly enlarged $350 million endowment, Radcliffe's finance office also won't be quite as busy.