Linda S. Wilson

Educational institutions serve a noble purpose in society. We have come to expect a great deal from them. Planning for a new century, therefore, calls for our highest principles and best ideas. Now is an opportune time to strengthen partnerships and develop new collaborations. This is what we have aspired to do in Radcliffe's own strategic planning process and in our discussions with Harvard.

These two institutions have enjoyed a longstanding formal alliance forged during women's struggle for suffrage and adjusted from time to time as they advanced on the educational and social frontiers. We have always shared the commitment to the highest standards of learning and scholarship. While we have had many goals in common over the years, until now we have pursued them as separate corporations and in different ways. Recently, we have each been developing ways to bridge disciplinary and organizational boundaries in order to stimulate new ideas, deepen understanding, and deliver more effectively our contributions to society.

At this threshold of a new era, we intend to align our talents, energies, and resources in a new way by establishing the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study as a major enterprise within Harvard. We see the Radcliffe Institute as a new incarnation of Radcliffe College which will bring substantial growth in its role and scope and greater clarity in its mission.

The Radcliffe Institute will be an interdisciplinary academic community where individuals can pursue advanced work in the academic disciplines, professions, or creative arts. A key feature of the Institute will be a continuing commitment to the study of women, gender, and society. The Institute will offer non-degree educational programs and its members may contribute to the educational programs of the nine faculties and schools of Harvard.

The Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study builds on the foundation of Radcliffe's strong programs in education, research, and policy and will provide continuing opportunities to engage students, alumnae, alumni, faculty, fellows and staff in the University community. Most importantly, the Radcliffe Institute will bring unprecedented opportunities for both learning and scholarship and will create new possibilities for inter-faculty collaboration.

The step we have agreed to take is a pooling of interests. Harvard and Radcliffe will collaboratively capitalize this enterprise, each bringing human and financial resources and sharing in new ways precious physical facilities. It is a step that recognizes our legacies and ensures continued stewardship of the past, present and future philanthropy that supports us.

This union will be the fulfillment of a 120-year engagement, based on knowledge, respect, and commitment to shared purpose.

On a personal note, let me say that it has been a rare privilege to lead Radcliffe during a decade marked by growth, development of both programs and connections with our alumnae, alumni, and friends, and the design of directions for a new century. When I step down from the presidency and hand over the reins to my esteemed colleague Mary Maples Dunn, I will have a large store of interesting memories This is good cause for celebration!