Students, Administrators Hopeful For Possible PBHA Compromise

As Harvard's public service programs move into full swing for the summer months, students and administrators continue to work toward a compromise on the controversy about who will have control over--and liability for--the Phillips Brooks House Association (PBHA).

Recently two major points of contention have come into focus: the presence of non-student voting members on the governing board of PBHA and the possibility of an executive director of PBHA who would not be answerable to the Harvard administration.

In a statement Wednesday, Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III outlined the administration's proposed compromise for the governing board.

"Right after Commencement I wrote to the president of Brooks House [Andrew J. Ehrlich '96-'97] offering a compromise on the trustees which stipulated that we would be willing to have a trial period of two years with special trustees and student trustees sitting together," Epps said.

"After that period we would review whether to give them a special exemption [to allow non-student voting members on the board]," Epps continued. "The criterion for that would be whether the working relationships had improved."

Reaction to the proposed compromise, however, was mixed.

"I feel like the compromise doesn't resolve the real issue," said PBHA Treasurer Roy E. Bahat '98. "I think [the trial period] will just end up causing a delay."

Some administrators, though, praised the proposal.

"I think it's terrific idea and I'm hopeful that PBHA and the provisional members of their board will also think it's an excellent step forward," said Assistant Dean of Public Service Judith H. Kidd, who would serve as one of the special trustees under the current plan.

Professor of Government and Sociology Theda Skocpol, who as chair of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) committee on public service would also serve on the governing board, conditionally expressed her approval of the proposal, explaining that there are still difficulties with the plan.

Under the definition of a student organization there can be no non-student voting members, she said.

"What they're asking for is a very difficult to grant exception," said Skocpol. "What we finally said is why don't we see how this works for a couple of years."

Bahat however, said such an exception is not unprecedented. Harvard Student Agencies (HSA) has been able to have non-students as voting members of its governing board for years, he said.

However, Skocpol noted that the HSA exception occurred 30 years ago, long before Epps' tenure as dean.

Bahat said that the chronology is not an issue.

"Whether it happened 30 years ago, or 50 years ago, or 1,000 years ago, the fact that it makes sense is just as true today," Bahat said.

"[HSA] needs non-Harvard resources to operate professionally and accountably," Bahat said. "If PBH, which is essentially a non-profit analog of HSA's commercial situation, is to have that same professionalism and accountability it also has to have its own staff and voting members."

Accountibility is a major issue in the struggle over PBHA. The actions of PBH reflect directly on Harvard, Kidd said.

"It's Harvard students and it's Harvard facilities and it's a lot of Harvard programs," said Kidd. "It is impossible for a Harvard student organization not to be part of Harvard's insurance concerns."

Kidd also said that the problem of accountability goes well beyond the legal definition.

"Even with the best will in the world, [if] PBHA to say 'we accept all liability,' the community at large would not accept this explanation," Kidd said.

"I'm much more concerned with the issue of accountability to the community for the quality of the programs," she continued.

While Epps has offered to launch a search for an administrator for PBHA and include students on the search committee, he still insists that such an administrator must report to Harvard's administration, not the governing board of PBHA.

Kidd explained that having an administrator who did not report directly to Harvard would cause confusion and unaccountability.

However, while students and administrators continue to argue over points such as the existence of an executive director, many observes feel that a compromise is close at hand.

Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis '68, who would also be able to appoint a member of the governing board under the proposal, expressed his support.

"I certainly hope that these proposals will be accepted by PBHA and that respectful and collegial working relationships between all parties will result," Lewis wrote in an e-mail, "so that everyone can get on with working in support of student programs."

Bahat said he, too, hopes an agreement can be reached soon for the sake of PBHA's programs.

"I think we have to reach a compromise, whether in form or in substance," said Bahat. "The programs have to run.

"What they're asking for is a very difficult to grant exception," said Skocpol. "What we finally said is why don't we see how this works for a couple of years."

Bahat however, said such an exception is not unprecedented. Harvard Student Agencies (HSA) has been able to have non-students as voting members of its governing board for years, he said.

However, Skocpol noted that the HSA exception occurred 30 years ago, long before Epps' tenure as dean.

Bahat said that the chronology is not an issue.

"Whether it happened 30 years ago, or 50 years ago, or 1,000 years ago, the fact that it makes sense is just as true today," Bahat said.

"[HSA] needs non-Harvard resources to operate professionally and accountably," Bahat said. "If PBH, which is essentially a non-profit analog of HSA's commercial situation, is to have that same professionalism and accountability it also has to have its own staff and voting members."

Accountibility is a major issue in the struggle over PBHA. The actions of PBH reflect directly on Harvard, Kidd said.

"It's Harvard students and it's Harvard facilities and it's a lot of Harvard programs," said Kidd. "It is impossible for a Harvard student organization not to be part of Harvard's insurance concerns."

Kidd also said that the problem of accountability goes well beyond the legal definition.

"Even with the best will in the world, [if] PBHA to say 'we accept all liability,' the community at large would not accept this explanation," Kidd said.

"I'm much more concerned with the issue of accountability to the community for the quality of the programs," she continued.

While Epps has offered to launch a search for an administrator for PBHA and include students on the search committee, he still insists that such an administrator must report to Harvard's administration, not the governing board of PBHA.

Kidd explained that having an administrator who did not report directly to Harvard would cause confusion and unaccountability.

However, while students and administrators continue to argue over points such as the existence of an executive director, many observes feel that a compromise is close at hand.

Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis '68, who would also be able to appoint a member of the governing board under the proposal, expressed his support.

"I certainly hope that these proposals will be accepted by PBHA and that respectful and collegial working relationships between all parties will result," Lewis wrote in an e-mail, "so that everyone can get on with working in support of student programs."

Bahat said he, too, hopes an agreement can be reached soon for the sake of PBHA's programs.

"I think we have to reach a compromise, whether in form or in substance," said Bahat. "The programs have to run.