By Susan Peterson

Gazette Staff

Representatives from Harvard and the city of Cambridge met last week to share information and ideas about strengthening collaboration between Harvard and the city's public schools.

President Neil L. Rudenstine welcomed Mayor Sheila Russell and the Cambridge School Committee, along with representatives from the Graduate School of Education (GSE), the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, and the University Community Affairs Office.

Rudenstine, Russell, outgoing Superintendent of Schools Mary Lou McGrath, and GSE Dean Jerome Murphy all spoke about the strong and varied collaborative efforts between the Cambridge Public Schools and Harvard's faculty, students, and staff.

Friday's meeting was held at the Faculty Club and moderated by James Rowe, Vice President for Government, Community, and Public Affairs. Among the attendees were Peggy Kemp, GSE director of School Partnerships; Vito Perrone, GSE director of Teacher Education; and Judith Kidd, assistant dean of Harvard College for public service.

Rudenstine said the meeting was a useful opportunity to share perspectives on the common challenges facing universities and the public schools.

"As educators, we have a good deal to learn from one another, whether the subject is the impact of new information technologies, or adapting to budgetary realities, or making sure we maintain academic programs of the highest quality in an era when knowledge is growing and the world is changing so rapidly," Rudenstine said. "Most of all, we have a strong common concern in making sure our young people have opportunities to learn what they need to know to live productive and satisfying lives."

Much of the discussion revolved around admissions and financial aid issues.

Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid William R. Fitzsimmons pointed out that being from Boston and Cambridge is a plus as far as the Admissions Office is concerned.

"This year, 10 out of 31 applicants from the Cambridge Schools were admitted, compared to the rate of 12 percent for all applicants," he said. "I think the quality of life that we lead at Harvard, Cambridge, and the Greater Boston area depends on how well we support each other. We take people who we think are competitive and who we believe will add something positive during the college years and beyond."

"From 1986 through 1996 Harvard-Radcliffe admissions has received 444 applications from the Cambridge Public Schools and has admitted 98 students -- a 22 percent admissions rate," said David Evans, Senior Admissions Officer for Harvard and Radcliffe. "Statistically, the admissions ratio of students from Cambridge Public Schools have done twice as well as applicants in general."

This year, about $250,000 in scholarships are being given to undergraduate students from Cambridge.

"We meet the needs of every single admitted student, and we're delighted to do it," said James S. Miller, director of financial aid. "Two-thirds of undergraduates receive financial support. I've seen the power of education profoundly move and change students' lives, and it's a wonderful investment."

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences will award some $41 million in need-based scholarships next year, and financial aid is a priority in the University's ongoing fundraising campaign.

In the area of public service, various Harvard College programs enable undergraduates to volunteer at the schools as tutors, classroom aides, after-school coaches, and course leaders.

Through the House and Neighborhood Development Program, for example, students volunteer at local public schools and at other community service organizations in neighborhoods. The Phillips Brooks House Association also provides opportunities for students to volunteer as mentors, science teachers, camp counselors, and big siblings.

Mayor Sheila Russell spoke of McGrath's accomplishments in her nine years as superintendent and her early days as a teacher.

McGrath, in turn, recounted the longstanding relationship between Harvard and the city's public schools, citing the more than 40 collaborative programs. She especially praised the James Bryant Conant Fellowship program, which provides financial support for teachers and administrators in the Boston and Cambridge public schools who pursue degrees at the Graduate School of Education.

"We have three new Conant Scholars this year -- 29 since the beginning of the Conant Scholarship in 1986," she said. "I think that's something special about Cambridge, that we have learned to collaborate very well for the students."