At the same time, it would help the news offices of the various schools coordinate better.

"You wouldn't want schools releasing things on the same day," Wrinn says. More organization will mean, "you invent the wheel only once."

The Internet will be a key part of this effort, beginning with what Wrinn calls "better road mapping," meaning that Harvard's Web site will do a better job of directing visitors and the curious to the highlights of what Harvard has to offer.

"You have to know far too much about Harvard to get around the [University's] Web site," he says.

Town and Gown

Grogan's plan for improving Harvard's ability to communicate with outsiders is designed with the ultimate aim of setting up better relations with the local community.

The University has come under fire in recent years for policies that were not perceived as community-friendly.

It secret purchase of land in Allston and original, imposing plans for the Knafel Center met with violent criticism from community leaders in Allston and Cambridge.

Harvard's tax-exempt status--a privilege of being an educational institution that the University makes up for with massive "gifts" to Cambridge and Boston--has also been a sticking point recently with some local politicians.

"The perception of many people in our community is that Harvard isn't very engaged with its community," Grogan says. "The reality of that is actually the reverse."

To change this misconception, he emphasizes that dialogue with local leaders is key. "I think we've got to talk and listen with our community," Grogan says.

Harvard must sell itself to the local news outlets, broadcasting the good it does for Cambridge, Boston and local residents, according to Grogan.

He cites need-blind admissions as one area that Harvard fails to explain adequately to the community. Harvard's policy is to admit students regardless of their ability to pay and then to offer aid in the amount they need.

Many in the community are not aware of this policy, Grogan says, and think Harvard does not award scholarships to those in the community who cannot afford tuition.

Fineberg gave Harvard's community service programs as an example of involvement with the community that the University should publicize.

"We don't tell that story very well," Fineberg says. "We don't make enough of the things we're already doing."