He added that alumnae have been reassured by the knowledge that restricted gifts given during Radcliffe's college days cannot be redirected.

"They definitely cannot be spent for another purpose," he said. "That's something that people don't have to worry about."

Student callers for the Radcliffe phonathon said they have been told to come to work as usual this week.

"We're making calls for Radcliffe--it doesn't really matter what you call it," said Mary A. Piscitello '01, co-director of the Radcliffe College Fund phonathon. "Obviously, we'll be discussing what's happening with alumnae."

Certainly, those alumnae who supported Tuesday's agreement said their peers will be easily convinced to change their giving habits.

"I think with a little of hoopla they'll be more than willing to give to Harvard and not Radcliffe [College]," said longtime critic of Radcliffe College Claire K. Lipsman '45, who backed Tuesday's decision.

Many alumnae said the decision could not have come as a surprise to Radcliffe's most recent donors.

"I don't think alumnae were under any misconception about what they were giving to," said Charlotte H. Armstrong '49, president of the Harvard Board of Overseers. "They knew they weren't giving to a traditional, four-year women's college."