Details about the future of Radcliffe'sundergraduate programs have not yet been decided.Some alumnae have voiced fears that undergraduatewomen who made use of those programs--includingmentoring, externships and support forwomen-oriented students groups--will lose the mostfrom the merger.

"Most of my social friends are so in love withthe role of Radcliffe for undergraduates," Selbysaid, speaking of her interactions with fellowalumnae. However, her own opinions have beenshaped by her recent experience as a tutor inLeverett House.

"I had a different experience and felt thatfrankly it was dishonest to imply that Radcliffehad a real role with the undergraduates more thanthe peripheral

Even for the many women who, like LissaMuscatine '76, said they identify more withHarvard than the former Radcliffe, the changepresents both parties with a chance to further theRadcliffe goal.

"I feel it's a great opportunity if Harvard iswilling to take very seriously the mission andhistory that Radcliffe has represented in terms ofadvancing women in society," Muscatine said.

In particular, a number of alumnae said theyhoped the decision would serve to pressure theUniversity into improving its track record ofpromoting women to tenured positions within theFaculty.

Even the role of RCAA, which formed animportant network--both socially andprofessionally--for Radcliffe alumnae, isambiguous.

As RCAA works to solicit more feed-back fromits alumni, group leaders said it can only survivewith funding and support from the new Institute,or Harvard itself.

According to Tewksbury, who is also one of themembers of the Board of Trustees responsible forapproving the recent merger, the change instructure won't affect the mission of RCAA. Thatmission, she said, is to support Radcliffe--in anyincarnation--by providing community and advocacyfor women, and by offering women a chance forlifelong learning.

"I think the potential is significant in termsof a resource-rich Radcliffe with the ability toexpand its programs," Tewksbury said. "On theother hand, my college is gone.