Despite yesterday's revelations several detailsof the merger remain unannounced. For instance,the relative importance of gender studies at theInstitute has yet to be determined.
A statement released by the two schools lastweek said the Institute's mission "will be tocreate an academic community where individuals canpursue advanced work in the academic disciplinesprofessions or creative arts."
The statement goes on to note that theInstitute will "sustain a continuing commitment tothe study of women, gender and society. "Yet, bothsides have said no decisions have been made aboutwhether all, or just some, of the research at theInstitute will focus on gender.
A magnifying glass on gender would set theRadcliffe Institute apart from other centers ofadvanced study. Neil J. Smelser director of theCenter for Advanced Study in the BehavioralSciences in Palo Alto, Calif, said such a focuswould provide the new institute with an inherently"difference character."
And Scott whose 1988 book Gender and thePolitics of History is considered a landmarkin her field, said a gender institute could make areal contribution to current scholarship.
"My sense is that there's an opportunity tohave an institution that works on serious genderresearch or there's an opportunity to make genderone part... of what goes on, "she said.
"I think [the first] would be the bravercourse, "she said.
Members of the Faculty of Arts and Scienceswill be given a chance to future voice theircomments about the new Institute when Rudenstineand Wilson present the agreement to merge at thenext full Faculty meeting in May.Rachel P. Kovner contributed to the reportingof this article.