"[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.