Peretz says the rationale behind the creation of the executive agent position was that the agent will report to Kidd on issues of safety and some financial issues, and to the board on programmatic issues.

Kidd says she expects a final job description for the executive agent to be drawn up at the board of directors retreat Thursday.

"We want to recognize PBHA's total programmatic independence from the University," Kidd says. "We all have to work together collaboratively to serve PBHA's programs."

Ehrlich says, however, that he would prefer that Kidd does not function in "any special capacity" during the selection of the executive agent, but merely as a board member.

Kidd, who brought to her job a great deal of fundraising experience, will also likely play a prominent role in PBHA's fundraising, although her financial responsibilities as dean do not extend to fundraising for PBHA.

Kidd says she hopes to be included on any fundraising committees.

"I would be a good link between PBHA and the University's development office," she says.

And, on this point, Ehrlich agrees.

The Evaluation

Pending minor changes coming out of this week's board of directors retreat, the compromise is in place until its review by Epps' office on September 1, 1997.

Kidd says that both sides settled on 15 months because it was decided two years was too long for a trial period. But conducting the review in June, 1997 was considered premature since that would not include PBH's summer programs.

And although Epps' office is charged with conducting the review, Kidd says that since Epps is a board member, she expects that the review will be "worked out on the board."

"The provisional agreement will be permanent if students get support and a sense of longevity from an external board," Kidd says.

Ehrlich, too, says Epps' office should not be the sole guiding hand in the evaluation.

"It is going to require sensitivity and cooperation by both sides," he says.