Cambridge-Harvard relations seemed to worsen after the departure of former Mayor Francis H. Duehay ’55, who left in 1999.

Under Duehay’s helm on the City Council, Kennedy School of Government students developed Cambridge’s key programs in affordable housing and environment.

Duehay cites his career as a university administrator as the main reason that he was particularly interested in developing a healthy relationship with the University.

“It’s not easy to deal with universities,” Duehay said. “[City governmnt and universities] are two different entities each with their own cultures.”

But Duehay also says he believes the relationship can be improved if significant effort is put into it.

“There is plenty of work to be done—there are many assets that Harvard has, and many needs that Cambridge has,” Duehay says.

And Murphy has said he is willing to put in this effort.

“I think that the fates of Cambridge and Harvard are linked,” Murphy says. “Neither side is the evil demon out there.”

—Staff writer Lauren R. Dorgan can be reached at dorgan@fas.harvard.edu.