Garland says the fundamental differences in purpose between the College and PBHA do not preclude the two organizations continuing to work together, but says they are important to bear in mind.

"While PBHA remains student-governed, I don't believe the 'institutional memory' will ever really fade," Garland says. "The College officials seem to think that it will, but the strongest thing that ties PBHA together is its stories, which are continually being made and retold. Our history and our stories are so important to us that we pass them along as intact as possible."

Making Progress, One Step at a Time

Whatever problems remain, students and administrators say they're committed to making the 1997 agreement work.

Guerrier says PBHA is trying to increase communication between Trustees and Cabinet members. Last year, the performances of the four full-time directors of programs were reviewed; this year, the executive director's role and performance is being evaluated.

Kidd says that the Board of Trustees has started to receive monthly updates on Cabinet meetings, and has asked to "be informed when board presence at a particular Cabinet meeting would be useful."

"Many board members, including myself, have expressed interest and willingness to attend Cabinet meetings, at the invitation of the students," Kidd wrote in an e-mail message.

The two sides met at a December retreat, where a professional facilitator helped them heal "a lot of the residual tensions," according to PBHA Programming Chair and Trustee Priscilla Chan '01.

And Jason Purnell '99, who served as PBHA's vice president in 1998, says that the appointment of Paul McDonald to the paid post of PBHA executive director, was a major step forward.

"It was really the first major step toward implementing the agreement with the University since the Board of Trustees was formed, and it was vital to bringing both stability and autonomy to the operation of PBHA," he writes.

Moving On

Students say they value their autonomy--and say it hasn't been compromised by their tangles with the College.

"We're definitely not completely autonomous," Guerrier says. "[But] on a day-to-day basis in our programs, they definitely are."

PBHA officers say they are focusing on putting the group's focus back where it should be--on public service.

"A lot of PBHA student leaders are aware of the history," Guerrier says. "All of us are working towards moving beyond that."

She says her goal for PBHA is "to make sure that we do what we do to the best of our ability."

In that vein, various aspects of the organization are being restructured.