Alumnae Criticize Knowles in Letter To Rudenstine

Angry that they were not consulted on a report about the lack of women's leadership in the Faculty's capital campaign, a group of Radcliffe alumnae is poised to send a letter to President Neil L. Rudenstine criticizing the Dean of the Faculty Jeremy R. Knowles.

Mailed last week to graduates by Knowles, the report, "Harvard Women in the University Campaign," voices concern that not enough alumnae are leaders and donors in the Faculty's fundraising effort.

On Wednesday, The Crimson obtained a draft of a letter written by some alumnae to Rudenstine, in which they criticize Knowles for not consulting them before sending the report.

The letter has not yet been mailed.

The alumnae write, "we find it highly disturbing that Harvard has, in this instance, overlooked Radcliffe's integral role by failing to call on the experience and insights of its administration, by disregarding the important fact that Radcliffe--as well as Harvard--is in the middle of a major capital campaign."

Calling the Knowles report a "divisive strategy," the alumnae propose to meet with him "to develop alternative and more collegial plans which may, in the long run, provide greater mutual benefit."

According to Carolyn Chamberlin, director of communications at Radcliffe, concerned alumnae have been calling the Radcliffe Office of College Relations since last week.

"We've all been taking calls from concerned alumnae who want to know why Radcliffe has been left out," she said.

"I'm told that the discussion now is around what action our alumnae will take," she added.

Mary McGrath Carty '74, executive director of the Radcliffe College Alumnae Association (RCAA), called Knowles's decision not to consult Radcliffe "puzzling."

She said she hoped the letter to Rudenstine will result in conversations between Knowles and the alumnae.

"I don't understand why no one was consulted or informed that this was going to be sent to all alumns," she said.

Although she said she cannot sign the alumnae letter to Rudenstine because she is on the staff of Radcliffe, she added that the RCAA may consider writing its own letter.

"Partnership would be much more productive than separate endeavors," she said.

Carty added that she is not worried about whether or not the Knowles report will have a negative impact on Radcliffe's own capital campaign, although Radcliffe exists solely on its endowment and gifts and will not receive any money from the University's capital campaign.

According to a 1977 agreement, Harvard cannot solicit donations from any alumnae who graduated before 1976.

Knowles and Radcliffe President Linda S. Wilson were not available for comment.