“My sense is this is one agreement that will be lasting, because we’re approaching it with a high degree of accountability,” she said.

An agreement would give Harvard flexibility to fulfill some of its short-term space needs in Cambridge as it plans for its campus of the future across the river in Allston.

A plan presented to University officials this summer envisions a hybrid science and professional campus in Allston, including some FAS science facilities.

The Law School would remain in Cambridge, carrying out any expansion plans in the Agassiz neighborhood. The school will present an update next month on the results of a study looking at options for expansion.

Also next month, the University will go before the city planning board to seek approval for a new science building, the Laboratory for Interface Science and Engineering (LISE), to be located in the neighborhood.

At last night’s meeting, architects presented designs for the building, which will be located behind the Science Center and include specialized laboratories underground.

Professor of Physics Charles M. Marcus emphasized that the building would allow scientists to pursue interdisciplinary research in cutting-edge fields.

“It’s time that Harvard not miss the boat in developing this scientific enterprise,” he said.

—Staff writer Jessica R. Rubin-Wills can be reached at rubinwil@fas.harvard.edu.