A special committee, which will include several former Radcliffe trustees, will assist Harvard President Neil L. Rudenstine in the selection of a permanent dean. Wilson said her role in that decision will be limited.

"It would be unusual for a president to choose her successor," she said, but added that in the future, "I will give to Radcliffe as Radcliffe asks me to give."

Yesterday's interview topped off a day in which Wilson conducted what she called a "whirlwind tour" of Radcliffe's staff, meeting with employees and helping them understand Tuesday's announcement.

Wilson said staff members have questioned how Radcliffe will implement the agreement--questions that have yet to be answered.

"They're so smart. They raise important questions," she said.

Expressing relief that she is now able to speak publicly about the future of her institution at last, Wilson yesterday shared a few details about the negotiation process for the first time.

She attributed the crucial element of the deal's finalization to "chemistry," a critical conjunction of a significant capital campaign at Radcliffe and an increasingly broad academic focus in Radcliffe Yard.