Kristin T. Sudholz, executive director of the Harvard Square Business Association, said she does not see a problem in the relationship between merchants and undergraduates.

"Unfortunately, as the old saying goes, you only hear from the complainers," Sudholz said. "I think, on the whole, the relationship is pretty good."

Sudholz pointed to the international mix of the Square as one of its strengths.

"It would be tough to find this kind of concentration of ethnicities anywhere else on the eastern seaboard," Sudholz said.

The director said Square businesses actually embrace the diversity of Harvard.

"We call Harvard University an 'international university," Sudholz said. "[Square merchants] think it is one of the strengths of the University."

Sudholz also said it is important to keep in mind that while some businesses cater to students, others do not depend on them all much. Students accounted for only 18 percent of the dollars spent in Harvard Square each year.

Said Sudholz: "Some of the businesses might not bend over backwards and do somersaults for students."

'A better informed group of merchants would be an asset for us and the kind of qualitative experience that we want our students to have to Harvard.'

Archie C. Epps III,

Harvard College Dean of Students