Deconstructing Radcliffe: A Tradition of Confusing Questions

What is Radcliffe College? Radcliffe is a center for the study and advocacy of women, a resource for undergraduates and a school for post baccalaureate students. Founded in 1879 as the Harvard Annex to give women access to the Harvard faculty, Radcliffe spent the next century working toward the goal reached in 1977: achieving a woman's equal place at Harvard College. Radcliffe retained its ties to undergraduate women in a 1977 agreement with Harvard University.

Who admits whom? Through the joint Harvard-Radcliffe Office of Admissions, Radcliffe College admits women undergraduates. By virtue of their admission to Radcliffe, female undergraduates are enrolled in Harvard College, and receive the same rights and privileges men do. Women make their checks out to Radcliffe, which automatically transfers the money to Harvard.

Who signs my diploma? Men and women receive "equal" diplomas, but the official signatures differ. If you're a woman, Radcliffe President Linda S. Wilson signs on the dotted line. If you're a man, it's Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis '68. Harvard University President Neil L. Rudenstine signs everyone's sheep-skin.

Who's in charge? Presidents Wilson and Rudenstine share ceremonial duties at the beginning and end of your undergraduate career--shaking your hand at the first-year barbecue and showing up for Commencement. Dean of the Faculty Jeremy R. Knowles is the head of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the University "tub" in which undergraduates swim. He and Dean Lewis make most final decisions for the issues that affect you directly.

I don't understand. Harvard is solely responsible for the education and student life of all undergraduates, male and female. Radcliffe is an extra resource--mainly for undergraduate women.

What can Radcliffe do for me? Radcliffe sponsors several student groups including the community-service program Education for Action (E4A) and the Radcliffe Union of Students (RUS). Undergraduate women can take advantage of research partnerships, spring break externships and alumnae mentorships, administrated by Dean Tamar March's Office of Undergraduate Programs. Radcliffe also houses the Lyman Common Room, a comfy living room in Agassiz House which acts as an unofficial women's center.

How does Radcliffe sustain itself? Since Radcliffe transfers the "tuition" it collects directly to Harvard, Radcliffe pays for its activities mainly through the generosity of its alumnae. Radcliffe is currently in the middle of a capital campaign which, if successful, will double the college's endowment.

What else does Radcliffe do? In addition to its undergraduate programs, Radcliffe boasts the prestigious Bunting Institute (which sponsors the research of 40 fellows every year), the Murray Research Center (a social science data archive), the Radcliffe Public Policy Institute and the Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America. Radcliffe also administrates a graduate studies center, in which part-time students can earn certificates of completion for coursework in topics such as landscape design.

Anything else I should know? If you're a first-year, you missed out on the Laundry Shirt, the free shirt Radcliffe used to hand out during the Activities Fair. Enjoy the mousepads.