Task forces outline possible next steps

ALLSTON: PROGRESS REPORT OF THE FACULTY TASK FORCES 2004

The task force reports require additional analysis and discussion among stakeholders before the University can move forward with some of the many options suggested:

Allston Life Task Force

The Core Committee recommended that future work include estimating cost and feasibility of several options (especially for transportation). It also suggested more systematic attention to phasing alternative options. Subcommittees proposed the following:

• Culture Subcommittee: Consideration of Boston cultural facilities context and the possible role of various Harvard museums; possible collaborations; a survey of graduate student participation in performing and visual arts; and refinement of programmatic and space options.
• Transportation Subcommittee: Plan and design of streetscape improvements; more detailed planning for most promising options, including feasibility and cost. The next phase should consider parking supply and demand.
• Housing Subcommittee: More detailed study of graduate House model, housing demand (particularly for postdoctoral students and visiting scholars), and cost.
• Retail Subcommittee: Additional visits to other universities to study retail structure; survey graduate students on needs (as was done with undergraduates).
  

  Professional Schools Task Force

• Further exploration of topics for collaboration among the professional Schools.
• Expanded community engagement to reach out to a greater number of stakeholders.
• Research to determine “needs of the marketplace” for educating leaders; exploration of perceived barriers to collaboration.
• Possible cross-School focus groups, faculty meetings, newsletters, and other forms of communication; identifying incentives for collaboration.
  

  Undergraduate Life Task Force

• In coordination with other task forces, determine extent to which undergraduate research could become part of potential science endeavors in Allston.
• Evaluate feasibility of creating a gateway library that could serve all who live, study, teach, and conduct research in Allston, and identify which facilities could be shared across Schools.
• Conduct a comprehensive, University-wide arts study focused on extracurricular arts activities to allow the University to assess current arts spaces, needs of students, and trends in admissions and curriculum. Benchmark Harvard arts programs and spaces against other institutions.
• Conduct more comprehensive analysis of student centers at other institutions to assess how they coexist with residential houses/colleges.
  

  Science and Technology Task Force

• Faculty teams prepare white papers over summer with presentation in fall to develop plans for collaborative ideas they have proposed.
• Needs assessment conducted to collect background data for a resource plan.
• Second call issued for collaborative ideas, with submission date in the fall; faculty encouraged to suggest possible site(s), which may be Allston, Cambridge, Longwood, or combination of sites.
• Support the planning process and be quickly responsive to requests for science and technology input, as they arise.