PBHA Selects Remainder of Executive Board

Increasing autonomy and improving service were key concerns as the Phillips Brooks House Association (PBHA) elected the second half of its board of directors for the upcoming year Wednesday night.

Chosen for the 15-member board in elections held Sunday and Wednesday were twelve juniors, two sophomores and President Andrew J. Ehrlich '96, a senior who will remain at Harvard next fall in order to steer the organization toward its goal of hiring its own staff.

Other officers selected Sunday by the PBHA cabinet were Vice President Hahrie C. Han '97, Treasurer Gene Koo '97, Secretary Elisabeth L. Ritter '97 and Christian A. Chu '97 and John C. Raezer '97 as fund-raisers. PBHA's cabinet members voted last month to seek greater autonomy by moving toward paying the staff which supports the student-run volunteer programs itself.

Currently, the University employs Phillips Brooks House (PBH) Staff.

At a rally last Thursday, PBHA members protested the decision of Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis '68 to replace the current director of PBH Greg A. Johnson '72 with incoming Assistant Dean for Public Service Judith H. Kidd.

Many of those elected said they would work to balance the move toward autonomy with an emphasis on improving and maintaining services.

"I think that this was very clear from the elections," newly-elected Programming Chair Lisa D. Graustein '97 said. "One issue is obviously the external issues and the relationship with the University, and two there is the internal issues of getting all our programming going in terms of safety and quality."

Kimberly J. Steadman '97, elected training coordinator Wednesday night, said she will be in charge of developing education for program directors and volunteers.

"I have no idea what the year is going to be like," she said. "Obviously this is a year of transition. We will focus on our relationship with Dean [Kidd] and how the administration will respond to our plea for autonomy."

Newly-elected Events Coordinator Diego E. Sanchez '97 said he will be working to coordinate events such as the plant sale and the open house. He also said he hopes to add new events such as a basketball tournament fundraiser.

Still, Sanchez said the board will also spend its time working to define more clearly its relationship with the College. He added that the organization is working toward creating a governing board to oversee its activity.

"Obviously we're going toward autonomy, hiring our own staff and creating a governing board of staff. PBH alums and administrators like Dean Lewis, if he comes to the table," he said.

Also elected Wednesday night were Programming Chair Young W. Kim '97, Cabinet Coordinator Sheila Warren '98. Resource Coordinator Jennifer L. Liphowitz '97, Publicity Coordinator Roy I. Bahat '97, Transporting Coordinator Steven Cheung '97 and listorian Gregory S. Sawicki '97.