The Phillips Brooks House Association and Harvard College, after extensive discussions, have reached agreement on a reporting and governing structure for Harvard's largest public service organization.

Both parties have pledged to work together in "the spirit of a cooperative, productive, and mutually accountable relationship."

On Sept. 10, the Phillips Brooks House Association (PBHA) board of trustees voted to sign an agreement with Harvard College after consulting with its student program directors at their fall retreat.

The agreement grants official recognition to the board of trustees by Harvard College. The board, which includes students, community members, and University officials, was formed on a one-year trial basis after PBHA and the College signed a provisional accord in July 1996. Since then, however, the two parties have been negotiating about the nature and form of PBHA's relationship to Harvard, with students seeking provisions beyond last year's agreement.

Under the new agreement, PBHA will move forward with hiring an executive director, who will have oversight of PBHA operations and who will report to Judith Kidd, assistant dean of Harvard College for public service, regarding fiscal integrity, safety, and legal matters.

Phillips Brooks House Association, an independent nonprofit organization, retains complete autonomy in decisions about what programs it wishes to pursue.

The executive director will report to the board in all matters and advise and support PBHA student leaders in all areas of organizational growth and development, program development, fundraising, financial management and planning, and safety and risk management. The Association also plans to hire a director of development.

Members of the board include Kidd and two ex-officio voting members from Harvard College: Dean of Students Archie C. Epps, and Dean of Harvard College Harry R. Lewis or his designee. Eight elected student leaders are on the board, which is chaired by Roy Bahat '98, president of PBHA.

Community members currently serving are Gary Bailey, executive director of Parents' and Children's Services of Boston; the Rev. G. Stewart Barns, Episcopal Chaplaincy of Harvard and Radcliffe; Robert Coles, James Agee Professor of Social Ethics; Francis Duehay, Cambridge City Council; Professor Paul Hanson, Master of Winthrop House; Anne Peretz, founder of The Family Center Inc. of Somerville; and Van Truong, attorney with Foley, Hoag and Eliot.