This week, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences mailed a report to all alumnae and alumni.

The report, entitled Harvard Women in The University Campaign, summarizes the findings of an informal series of alumnae focus groups conducted during the past year. The groups, which met in Boston, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, discussed the role of alumnae in Harvard College life and in philanthropy.

"During the planning stage of the campaign for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, I became increasingly concerned about such questions as 'Why aren't women more active at Harvard?' 'Why do our alumnae feel less connected?' and 'Why have we not engaged as many women as leaders and donors?'" explained Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Jeremy R. Knowles. "We asked a number of our alumnae leaders to help us find the answers."

Several common themes emerged from the focus groups. First, that alumnae share a very positive assessment of the quality of the education they received at Harvard and are dedicated to helping the College maintain its position of international leadership; second, that alumnae care deeply about staying involved while building their careers and raising their children, but need different structures in order to participate; third, that alumnae have concerns about academic and philanthropic issues, including the number of tenured women in the Faculty, the model of competitive fundraising among classes, and their desire to have more information about how women students are faring at Harvard and what Harvard is doing for them; and fourth, that alumnae see significant confusion in the roles of Harvard and Radcliffe in undergraduate education, extracurricular life, and fundraising.

In addition to focus group discussions, a survey was mailed to a sample group of alumnae asking for their opinions about their College experience, philanthropy in general, and giving to Harvard in particular. The results showed that respondents are active volunteers and professionals who play major roles in the philanthropic decisions of their families; they give more readily for particular projects and programs than for general purposes; and they rank financial aid first, followed by the recruitment of women and minority faculty, as their highest giving priorities at Harvard.

To help shape a plan that addresses the issues raised in the focus groups and the survey, Dean Knowles created a 41-member Task Force on Women and Leadership. After meeting for the first time in November 1996, task force members agreed that two areas need particular attention -- fundraising and alumnae relations. To look more closely at these areas, two subcommittees have been formed. These groups met in February, and will soon make recommendations to Dean Knowles on how to better involve women as volunteers and donors.

"The University is sending a very important signal by inviting a group of high-powered women with forceful opinions to share their views about fundraising and their connectedness to the College," said task force member Diana L. Nelson '84, a marketing consultant and board vice chair of the Children's Museum of Manhattan. "Task force members have been very candid and outspoken and, as far as I can see, the College is listening and is prepared to act on our recommendations once we have finalized them."

Besides viewing the task force as an effective platform for discussing issues related to the role of women at Harvard and in the campaign, Nelson said she enjoys the camaraderie the task force has afforded.

"The task force presents a timely reminder of how valuable it is to stay connected to other women from the College," she said. "The alumnae involved are very impressive; they're community and business leaders, as well as mothers. Interacting with this group and participating in such a warm and open forum for exchanging ideas about Harvard and women's issues have been very rewarding."

Task force member Alexa D. Willson '79, class co-chair and managing partner of the newly launched merchant bank Juno Partners, shares Nelson's enthusiasm.

"When I was invited to join the task force, I was immediately intrigued by the opportunity to help shape the way the College addresses women and leadership, but I was equally excited about meeting fellow alumnae," said Willson. "This is a dynamic and committed group."

Willson said the task force has explored a variety of factors concerning women and philanthropy, including their capacity to give, their perceptions about giving, why they would choose to give to Harvard rather than to another charitable institution, and their motivations for giving.

"For some women, competition among classes is a less effective and less persuasive reason for giving to Harvard than a desire to make a difference in the world or support a leading educational institution because of its promise to effect change in society," said Willson.

Harvard Women in The University Campaign, which outlines early task force findings, is the first stage of an ongoing effort to address issues of women's involvement and leadership at Harvard College and in fundraising.

"I hope the newsletter will prompt alumnae to share any thoughts they may have about women at Harvard," remarked Nelson. "It's an important time for Harvard to be sending the message that women's voices are critical to every aspect of the University and ensuring that women know what a valued part of the community they are. That is what this effort is all about."

Last week, Maisie Houghton '62 and Jamie Houghton '58, MBA '62, established the Houghton Endowment for Women and Leadership at Harvard College. The gift provides Harvard College with the resources to support programs that will bring undergraduates into closer contact with successful women and will affirm women's contributions to scholarship and society.