Later this month, Harvard Student Agencies (HSA), the largest student-run corporation in the world, will learn the results of a year-long consulting study. The report will guide the organization as it restructures itself in the wake an imbalance in profits and a constant shortage of space.

"I anticipate that [the report] will focus mainly on the governance of HSA, meaning senior staff" and will also have "an accounting aspect," said incoming President Noble M. Hansen '00.

A Growing Family

Since fiscal year 1994, HSA's revenues have grown an average of 14.65 percent each year-due in large part to strong profits by its one for-profit subsidiary, Let's Go Publications, which yields nearly half of HSA's total revenue. Last year HSA turned about a $500,000 profit, which was reinvested in the company, according to Catherine J. Turco '99, outgoing HSA president.

And with the purchase of a $3 million building on Mount Auburn St. come the costs of maintaining it, and the organization still finds itself looking for more space to grow--a challenge in Harvard Square, where space and rent are at a premium.

Meanwhile, HSA is one-third of the way from finishing a $3.5 million capital campaign.

"HSA is going through a strategic planning process," Turco said. "You need to determine where you are today, where you want to go and how you want to get there."

This month, the HSA board of directors will try to do just that, based on a report on HSA's corporate structure and finances by Technical Development Corporation, a Boston consulting firm.

HSA is a not-for-profit corporation founded 40 years ago to provide students with jobs. It is divided into 10 agencies, 9 of which are not-for-profit.

Though the company owns its assets and is governed largely by current undergraduates and HSA alums, 7 of its 24 board members are University officials.

Georgene B. Herschbach, an assistant dean of the College and a member of the executive committee of HSA's board, is one of the administrators charged with over-seeing HSA.

She predicts that HSA will need to answer four questions in the coming year: what level of professional staff is needed, Let's Go Publications' growth and corresponding needs, Let's Go Travel's potential for growth, and how to advance new ventures, especially on the Web.

Our House

Purchasing a new building at 67-69 Mount Auburn St. two years ago brought a host of new expenses like mortgage payments and maintenance costs that HSA didn't have when it rented space from the College on Church and Story Streets.

While HSA officials say the move improved efficiency by combining resources under one roof, the "cozy" fit may become cramped as the company continues to grow.