Some even pointed to the construction of Peabody Terrace in the 1970s as a prime example of the poor dialogue that exists between Harvard and the Riverside community.

"You seem like a nice person and so does Travis, but you represent Harvard," one resident said, addressing Mary H. Power, Harvard's senior director of community relations, and Travis McCready, the recently appointed director of community relations for Cambridge.

"There's a lot of mistrust and that's not going to change quickly," he added.

Wednesday night's meeting was McCready's first public exposure to Cambridge residents.

Hostilities erupted when McCready tried to shift from the meeting's open forum to begin a presentation of the architect's plans for the museum.

"You are not gonna keep doing that," yelled one resident. "Harvard has not spoken to us in 30 years. You talk to us. You don't present to us."

The Other Side

Still, several residents stood in support of hearing out the University's plans for an art museum--a project that has received much support from outgoing University President Neil L. Rudenstine and his wife Angelica, an art aficionado.