"There are certain things that are very important concerns to the overseers, and undergraduate education is one of those," he said in an interview.

Oldenburg also said the overseers would likely discuss faculty recruitment, potential uses for the University's land in Allston and other major issues facing the University.

"You try to set the agenda with the best advice you can," he said, noting that he will also be responsible for committee appointments.

Overseer C. Dixon Spangler Jr., who works with Oldenburg on the executive committee, said Oldenburg will make a good president.

"Oldenburg will be good. He's capable. He'll handle it well for his period of time," Spangler said in an interview.

Oldenburg's term as president--as well as his term as an Overseer--ends at Commencement 2002.

Oldenburg is a former Crimson executive, and has received the Legion d'Honneur of France, the Order of the North Star of Sweden and the Order of Isabel la Católica of Spain. He is also the honorary chair of Sotheby's North and South America.

--Staff writer Andrew J. Miller can be reached at amiller@fas.harvard.edu.