According to Ann Pellegrini '86, a gender studies specialist who left Harvard last year for a tenure-track position at Barnard, Schor's duties as director of studies were "half administrative, half faculty....[At Boston College], she won't be wearing two hats."

Schor's colleagues describe her as a high-profile presence and an asset to the University. "She's a really major public intellectual...and a social conscience on campus for women's issues and economic justice," said Layton.

Schor, who led an open panel discussion with students on gender in academia last Friday, described herself as "known as someone who cares about [those issues]."

Schor criticized the University for the gender composition of its senior faculty, which she said still consists of only 16 percent women.

Students in Schor's classes said with her departure, the University will lose one of its most prominent female role models.

"She sets a good example for girls who want to be teachers in higher education," said Katie E. Scott '03, who is currently enrolled in Schor's lecture Women's Studies 132, "Shop 'Til You Drop: Gender and Class in Consumer Society."

According to Pelligrini, the search for Schor's replacement as director of studies will end this Friday.

"I can't imagine women's studies at Harvard without her," she said.