"We have also gained a staff position [executive agent] whose primary focus is the development and well-being of PBHA, a job [which] could not be adequately and sufficiently done by the assistant dean [Kidd]," he says.

Ehrlich says monetary concerns played a significant role in deciding to work towards a compromise, but adds that continuing to be part of the University community was a far more important factor.

Ultimately, Ehrlich says he is "not completely" satisfied by the agreement reached.

There are things in the compromise that are not what I would wish in an ideal sense," he says, citing the fact that the executive agent will report jointly to Kidd and PBHA.

Ehrlich says he would prefer that the executive agent, like the former position of executive director, report only to PBHA.

Ehrlich, however, says that the issue of the executive agent was not significant enough to override other concerns.

He says Dean of the Faculty Jeremy R. Knowles told him, "Given that [PBH] accepts Harvard's liability insurance and given that [PBH] lives in a Harvard building rent-free, [it] incurs and opens Harvard to a certain amount of risk in [its] activity."

Both sides have agreed to a 15-month trial period to end next September 1, at which time the agreement will be re-evaluated.

What Was Compromised

The compromise creates a board of trustees to oversee PBH that includes non-student voting members--a significant concession by the College in light of Epps' letter. The board is comprised of administrators, PBHA student leaders, community members and alumni.

"This is a decision on which Harvard and PBHA must agree, which clearly the assistant deanship was not," Ehrlich says.

Kidd says she is happy with the compromise and gives Ehrlich and the PBHA student leadership a great deal of credit for "reaching out" and finalizing the agreement.

Three administrators and the president and vice president of PBHA hold voting, ex officio positions on the board of trustees. In the future, other members will be selected by a standing nominating committee consisting of two elected board members and will be voted on by the PBHA cabinet, which is made up of all of PBH's program directors.

Elected members will be allowed to serve only two consecutive three-year terms. After sitting out for one year, members will again be eligible to sit on the board for two terms.

Creation of a board that includes non-student voting members is an unusual step for the College.