University President Neil L. Rudenstine expressed his support for the work of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) as he welcomed the group to its third-annual Harvard-based conference yesterday.

He said he shares the NAACP's worries about legal challenges to affirmative action.

"We're very concerned about the cases at the University of Michigan...to do away with affirmative action," he told the group.

And he emphasized the benefits that Harvard reaps from hosting the conference.

"I'm glad indeed that you're back for a third year," he said. "[While] I hope your meetings here are useful to you...[this conference] is a two-way street."

The conference will bring together senior Harvard Faculty members from the business and law schools and NAACP leaders for three-days of workshops and study.

Charles J. Ogletree, Climenko professor of law at Harvard Law School, introduced the dignitaries present at the event, including NAACP Chair Julian Bond and other board members.

In his brief remarks, Ogletree went on to compliment Rudenstine for the work he as done to provide more equal opportunities for minorities at Harvard.