By the time the review is conducted, both Ehrlich and Vice President Hahrie C. Han '97, who were active in negotiating the original compromise, are scheduled to have graduated.

Han, in particular, told The Crimson in June after the compromise was initially announced that she was not satisfied with the agreement.

Although PBHA's two main student leaders may be gone, Peretz says institutional memory will not be a problem for PBHA, as its student leadership continues to prepare the "next line."

And Ehrlich urges future generations of PBHA leaders to continue evaluating what is best for the organization.

"It is best to remain part of Harvard," he says. "I can't imagine a time when it wouldn't be, but I think that behavior over the next years will dictate the best course of action."

The compromise will also have an immediate impact on one of PBHA's most significant alumni organizations, the Association Committee that is chaired by Peretz.

Members of PBHA's Association Committee--a non-student-member body without voting power--say the creation of the board renders their committee obsolete.

Peretz says that while "nobody has voted [the Association Committee] out of existence, it is probably redundant as an Association Committee."

"But the members will be extremely important for the new board--particularly around alumni affairs and development," says Peretz.

Coles and Peretz are the only two members of the Association Committee to be elected to the board of directors.

What's Next?

The compromise and the continued resolution of the conflict between Harvard and PBHA stand to define the future of this nearly century-old organization.

In particular, the compromise may have an important impact on PBHA's ability to launch a major fundraising drive for its 100th anniversary in the year 2000.

"I would hope that the board could work collaboratively with Dean Kidd to develop and implement a major centennial campaign with class credit," Ehrlich says.

Douglas M. Pravda contributed to the reporting of this story.