Quite the contrary, he asserts, his first loveis spending time on campus, talking with studentsand faculty members, rather than on the road,making the case for contributions.

Reardon, too, says Rudenstine recognizes theneed to keep his agenda balanced. The problem, henotes, arises in explaining the time crunch toothers, and in denying them unlimited access tothe president.

"Some alumni and presidents of Harvard clubsare doing their thing and don't have a sense ofthe big picture," Reardon says. "They invite him[to speak] and expect him to come."

The inevitable result when Rudenstine can'tmake it? "People can get disappointed," Reardonsays.

Rudenstine says it is precisely his effort toattend as many events as possible that creates yetanother challenge for his schedulers: allowingflexibility.

With many speeches, dinners and ceremoniesslotted in on the president's calendar a year ormore in advance, there is little room left overfor last-minute maneuvering.

"I'll probably have to explain to more groupsof people why I can't do more things on everyfront, and that includes fundraising as well,"Rudenstine says