PBHA Board To Consult Cabinet

The trustees of Phillips Brooks House Association (PBHA) did not reaffirm the association's tries to Harvard at last night's board meeting, their last opportunity to do so before the Sept. I deadline set by the College.

The board instead reached a consensus to delay their decision on the proper relationship between PBHA and the College until they could consult student members of the organization--sometime during the first or second week of September--and meet with Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis '68.

For four months, PBHA officers have demanded the University allow them to hire an executive director and additional staff, who would report to the board.

College officials have said all staff members of Harvard-supported organizations must report to the University. PBHA resides in the College's Phillips Brooks House and receives $2 million in funding from the University each year.

If the September deadline came and went without Board action, the University has said it would sever ties with PBHA, but the implications of tonight's decision are now unclear.

PBHA officers said last night they hoped the University would give them more time to consult with the cabinet, made up of individual community service program leaders from the association.

"I think we have to trust the University as a good faith negotiator," said PBHA Secretary Amanda Spector '98.

Epps said that "on or near" Sept. I the University will "clarify its position" on PBHA. Epps would not say whether the deadline could be extended, but said he opposed the board's decision to postpone contract renewal with the College.

On Sept. 1, the College's compromise agreement with PBHA expires. The agreement established the board as PBHA's governing body and created an executive director position--which reports jointly to the College and PBHA's trustees.

During last night's board meeting, PBHA Vice President Michael W. Ma '98 proposed to retract the organization's demands to hire its own staff and instead offered to capitulate to the College.

Earlier in the week, Ma sent an e-mail to all cabinet members, warning PBHA program leaders about the dangers of leaving the University--including the loss of major funding and resources.

In his e-mail, Ma said his position directly opposed PBHA President Roy E.Bahat '98, but last night Bahat denied that there is a split in the leadership.

Although Ma said he now supports the College's compromise despite its imperfections, the other officers said they want to continue negotiations.

"There's not a disagreement in long-term vision but there's a parting of the ways when it comes to the short-term methods we need to use to get there," Spector said.

The officers will meet with program leaders on Sept. 6 and 7 while on their annual retreat

During last night's board meeting, PBHA Vice President Michael W. Ma '98 proposed to retract the organization's demands to hire its own staff and instead offered to capitulate to the College.

Earlier in the week, Ma sent an e-mail to all cabinet members, warning PBHA program leaders about the dangers of leaving the University--including the loss of major funding and resources.

In his e-mail, Ma said his position directly opposed PBHA President Roy E.Bahat '98, but last night Bahat denied that there is a split in the leadership.

Although Ma said he now supports the College's compromise despite its imperfections, the other officers said they want to continue negotiations.

"There's not a disagreement in long-term vision but there's a parting of the ways when it comes to the short-term methods we need to use to get there," Spector said.

The officers will meet with program leaders on Sept. 6 and 7 while on their annual retreat