Alumnae Unable to Keep Gift

Despite eleventh-hour efforts to withhold its class gift in protest of a lack of female faculty at the University, the Radcliffe Class of 1960 was unable to prevent Harvard from receiving the money.

But the class is continuing its efforts to ensure that a larger number of women receive tenure, and that female undergraduates receive more support from the College.

The resolution to withhold the gift was formally approved at a June 7 meeting during the class' 35th reunion.

The 36-11 vote was intended to express "profound concern over the status of women faculty at Harvard," according to Frances O. Zimmerman '60, a class member present during the vote.

In particular, the class objected to the fact that just 10.8 percent of Harvard's faculty is female--compared to 25 percent at Dartmouth College.

Recognizing that its $92,000 gift had already been delivered to the University, the class made efforts over thepast month to have the money held in escrow.

That way, University could not use the giftuntil the women gave their consent.

But the University said it was too late toreturn the money, according to members ofRadicliffe's Class of 1960.

Officials from Radcliffe and from theUniversity declined to comment.

Even though their attempts to withhold themoney have failed, several members of the Class of1960 believe they have sent a strong message tothe University.

"It is a very clear public statement about howlong the University is taking to bring women intoparity," said Anne C. Ewing '60.

"And there are certainly other implicationswhich might occur down the line--no Universitylikes to have disaffected alumnae," Ewing said.

In the meantime, members of the class haveestablished an ad hoc committee to examine waysthe class can change the University's policiesregarding women.

"We are now looking for alternate places togive to that will directly impact undergraduatewomen," said committee organizer Joan Bolker '60.

The Class of 1960 is no longer content to sitback wait for change to come to Harvard, Bolkeradded, because women are being harmed by a lack ofrole models on the faculty.

"I think it's extremely difficult to be astudent, particularly one who wants to be anacademic, when there are no role models to look towho have made it," Bolder said.

The committee's immediate task is to discoverhow the money is being allocated, she said, Thenthe group will discuss how to donate its funds tomaximize improvement for the undergraduate women,according to Bolker.

But discovering how the gift money is beingused has not been easy.

"[The committee] has promised our classmates toinvestigate uses of the money we have given, butthat turns out to be a little bit difficult,"Bolker said. "it's not clearly stated."

Bolker's committee has contacted officials atRadcliffe conducted research at the SchlesingerLibrary and examined Radcliffe treasury reportsfrom previous years in an effort to discoverwhether it is possible to direct money towardsspecific programs.

"We had a very civil letter back from aRadcliffe vice president that answered questions,but it still does not answer the questions we'dlike," Bolker, said.

Bolker said the split between Harvard andRadcliffe, and the different functions eachinstitution fulfills, has been a key source of thegender imbalance on the faculty.

"I think Radcliffe's first role is as an annex,and it's still struggling with that role," Bolkersaid. "These are two institutions functioningseparately, even though they are supposed to beone."

But members of the Class of 1960. hope toeffect changes in the way the University organizesits hiring of women professors.

"We want Harvard University to be a leader andset an example in tenuring women, and to be a rolemodel and set examples to undergraduates," saidEwing.

"We all agree that men and women don't have thesame style, and we need both styles to modify theUniversity," she added

That way, University could not use the giftuntil the women gave their consent.

But the University said it was too late toreturn the money, according to members ofRadicliffe's Class of 1960.

Officials from Radcliffe and from theUniversity declined to comment.

Even though their attempts to withhold themoney have failed, several members of the Class of1960 believe they have sent a strong message tothe University.

"It is a very clear public statement about howlong the University is taking to bring women intoparity," said Anne C. Ewing '60.

"And there are certainly other implicationswhich might occur down the line--no Universitylikes to have disaffected alumnae," Ewing said.

In the meantime, members of the class haveestablished an ad hoc committee to examine waysthe class can change the University's policiesregarding women.

"We are now looking for alternate places togive to that will directly impact undergraduatewomen," said committee organizer Joan Bolker '60.

The Class of 1960 is no longer content to sitback wait for change to come to Harvard, Bolkeradded, because women are being harmed by a lack ofrole models on the faculty.

"I think it's extremely difficult to be astudent, particularly one who wants to be anacademic, when there are no role models to look towho have made it," Bolder said.

The committee's immediate task is to discoverhow the money is being allocated, she said, Thenthe group will discuss how to donate its funds tomaximize improvement for the undergraduate women,according to Bolker.

But discovering how the gift money is beingused has not been easy.

"[The committee] has promised our classmates toinvestigate uses of the money we have given, butthat turns out to be a little bit difficult,"Bolker said. "it's not clearly stated."

Bolker's committee has contacted officials atRadcliffe conducted research at the SchlesingerLibrary and examined Radcliffe treasury reportsfrom previous years in an effort to discoverwhether it is possible to direct money towardsspecific programs.

"We had a very civil letter back from aRadcliffe vice president that answered questions,but it still does not answer the questions we'dlike," Bolker, said.

Bolker said the split between Harvard andRadcliffe, and the different functions eachinstitution fulfills, has been a key source of thegender imbalance on the faculty.

"I think Radcliffe's first role is as an annex,and it's still struggling with that role," Bolkersaid. "These are two institutions functioningseparately, even though they are supposed to beone."

But members of the Class of 1960. hope toeffect changes in the way the University organizesits hiring of women professors.

"We want Harvard University to be a leader andset an example in tenuring women, and to be a rolemodel and set examples to undergraduates," saidEwing.

"We all agree that men and women don't have thesame style, and we need both styles to modify theUniversity," she added