But regardless of its focus, Rudenstine and the selection committees agree that Faust's academic presence and her active leadership will create a cutting-edge research center in Radcliffe Yard.

"If you are a president of any university in the world, and you're looking for a new faculty member, the first thing you'll do is get a hold of a list of the Radcliffe scholars. And the first person you'll call is the dean of the Radcliffe Institute," Provost Harvey R. Fineberg '67 predicted last fall.

But though lofty ideas about academic mission and gender inquiry fit squarely into Faust's agenda for shaping the Institute, she also has more concrete decisions--like the fate of buildings--to decide as well.

Leases negotiated between Radcliffe and Harvard keep FAS's office of admissions and financial aid in Byerly Hall until 2006 and secure access for undergraduates to Agassiz Theatre until 2004.

Dunn has said that she sees no reason why undergraduates should not still use Agassiz and its basement set shop, but has also said that ultimately, "it will be up to the new dean."

College administrators have said they are not counting on having Agassiz in the future and have been exploring alternate theater spaces in recent months.

But ultimately the future of undergraduate use of Agassiz is Faust's decision.

Radcliffe's relationship with undergraduates, while well-defined in the merger agreement, also raises questions for the new dean. According to the deal, Radcliffe retains no official ties to undergraduates.