Indeed, some have complained that PBHA's direct-service focus consists mostly of "band-aid work"--providing quick help without offering long-term solutions--that does not address systemic issues.

While PBHA's entrance does not represent a total shift in organizational priorities, Cox says he is hopeful that more people will take the opportunity GBIO provides to combine activism with service.

"For a while we've done a lot of innovative things around direct service and less advocacy, really getting at the root of the problem," Cox says.

Cox says he believes PBHA as a whole may be expanding in a more activist direction.

Alex A. Guerrero '01, a director of PBHA's Prisoner Education Committee, says he has plans to expand his program to include prisoner-rights advocacy later this month.

"We're trying to get more of the campus at least thinking about the issue," Guerrero says. "I think people generally realize that the need for this volunteer work stems from larger issues."

Guerrero is not working directly with GBIO on his advocacy initiative, but several other PBHA committees--such as the Housing Opportunities Program and Habitat for Humanity--express interest in expanding into more activist roles through GBIO.

"Our goal isn't to shift the focus of PBHA but just to show that there is something other than direct service," Garvan says.