Now administrators are looking at other sectors where University expertise might make a difference.

"We will continue to work with city officials and possibly other Universities in a number of initiatives that will follow on the housing initiative," Grogan says.

Grogan says the University is considering working with Boston's "troubled schooling systems" and public health programs. But he says that much more research will be necessary before Harvard can make more concrete plans.

"The difficulty is to find a place where we can actually make a large difference," Grogan says.

Grogan says over the last couple years both the University and the community have become increasingly aware of their economic interdepence.

"The University's permanence as a large-scale employer and service-provider is especially important because globalization is causing other businesses to move around," Grogan says.

To make the best possible use of the Harvard influence on the local economy, Grogan envisions an alliance between the many Boston-area research institutions and city administrators.

"Right now we talk when we're making transactions, but there should be another layer to these relations," Grogan says. "Many universities have studied their impact on the community. They should talk about the things they need to do to preserve the economy"