"Nowadays, university presidents aren't thoughtto speak out as much as they used to. It isn'tthat Neil makes major policy pronouncements, butthere is work done in a more indirect way,"Armstrong says.

Many bemoan the decline in influence of theuniversity president, saying that the positionshould carry with it a sense of principles.

"Leadership in terms of academics...in terms ofdedication to principles...those are not skillsthat are sought after [anymore]," Silverglatesays. President of universities feel that theirmain job is to keep the peace. I don't think it isworth keeping the peace if that means giving up animportant principle."

But whether Harvard should recede to thechorus, as Rowe puts it, is debatable.

Experts on academia say people look to Harvardfor an academic--and to a certain extentcultural--example and to the leader of theinstitution as a symbol of what Harvard standsfor.

"Anything that the president of Harvard saysthat is mildly newsworthy is going to get in thenews," says Robert Birnbaum, a professor ofeducation at the University of Maryland whoadvocates a generally conciliatory style ofleadership. "The president can get any singlething he wants done done. The only thing is thecost of getting that."

But presidents have become increasinglyconservative, either in their visions for highereducation or in their willingness to assertthemselves and bring their visions into being.Rudenstine's reluctance ever to issue orders isindicative of the phenomenon.

"A group can't run anything--it never hasanyplace," says James L. Fisher, co-author ofThe Effective College President. "You'vegot to have accountable people who pay the piperif things aren't done effectively."

"The Harvard president has a heck of aplatform," he adds. "I would encourage any personnationally or internationally to use it."

But it seems that Rudenstine's use of thepresidency is no accident--he was chosen for hisconciliatory and ego-less style by the corporationin 1991.

Will the university president ever be what itonce was? Fisher says a movement is alreadyunderway in American colleges and universities togive more power to the office of president. But tomake the heads of higher education truly importantfigures, in all probability, the president ofHarvard will have to make his voice heard. Theodds of Rudenstine doing so seem pretty slim. Asfisher puts it, "He's no James Conant."

Love the One You're With

With Rudenstine's presidency drawing to aclose, it is certainly possible the next presidentwill be a more dynamic leader. He or she could bevisible on campus, known across America as one ofits public intellectuals and chart a clear coursefor the future--all the while continuing to raisemoney and be involved in the academic core of theUniversity.

But in all likelihood, the University does notwant such a leader.

It is difficult to say which is stronger today:Harvard's finances or its reputation. Under suchcircumstances, alumni, officers and professors sayRudenstine has established the model Harvardpresident for the time being--it is a conservativemoment.