But while former University President Neil L. Rudenstine had to deal with the land purchases in Allston and the “pre-planning planning” for the land, it is under Summers’ direction that the first wave of concrete decision about Allston will occur—and with it the first chance for these plans to be preempted by decisions made by individual schools.

“We need to think through the appropriateness of [proposed] buildings, given that there will be decisions made about Allston in the future,” Summers says.

Summers and others say that any plans for schools to move are years—and billions of dollars—in the future, and administration sources say that such moves would only come after earlier priorities which include building museums and graduate student housing in Allston.

First Trial

The law school has been one of the prime recipients of Summers’ “keep options open” message this summer.

The school’s recently formulated strategic plan, a document that spells out plans to revamp various aspects of the school, requires a large capital campaign and would mean further North Yard building.

Summers met last month with law school administrators and faculty about the school’s strategic plan, which has awaited the approval of the president and Governing Boards since last December.