PBHA is just the second official student group member of GBIO--most of the organization's members have some form of religious affiliation. The first was the Boston Youth Organizing Project--a group of local high school students.

Because only a handful of PBHA students will be representing the views of all PBHA-affiliated programs, student program directors initially expressed concern that they might object to the GBIO stance on certain issues.

But GBIO staff members say this should not be a problem.

"GBIO has no central issue. We [are] about building relationships and building power through relationships," said GBIO staff member Lisa Nazzaro at an introductory meeting at Phillips Brooks House on Saturday.

Since GBIO joins together so many disparate views, the organization has only been able to tackle issues where near consensus is possible. Rather than addressing such "hot" issues as reproductive rights or school vouchers, the organization has focused its action on less controversial topics. Currently, the group is working to create affordable housing and increase funding for afterschool programs.

"The idea of GBIO is that it unites a lot of people who have a lot of interests," says Carol J. Garvan '02, a member of the PBHA organizing committee that coordinated PBHA's entrance into GBIO.

Acting Up

On campus, PBHA is primarily known for its vast array of tutoring programs. The Progressive Student Labor Movement--with its frequent protests--stands out as one of the few high profile activist groups within PBHA.