For Paul S. Grogan, Harvard's vice president for government, community and public affairs, yesterday's trip to Washington was a routine affair. But for the University, more frequent communication with the surrounding community and the nation's press symbolizes Harvard's increasing emphasis on telling its story.

Grogan, who went to the nation's capital with University spokesperson Joe Wrinn, wasn't staving off a public relations crisis. In fact, such trips are not unusual for press officers, Wrinn said.

But since Grogan's arrival at Harvard just over a year ago, visits to Washington, New York and Boston have become commonplace, as the University continues with its push to improve community and media relations.

Grogan assumed his post last year, coming from a nonprofit community development organization in Washington. Since assuming his post, he has increased the University's meetings with reporters.

Yesterday's event was part of the trend.

Marvin Kalb, executive director of the Washington office of the University's Joan Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy, hosted the gathering of about 10 reporters.

"Paul wanted to meet with some of the Washington press corps...out of which would come a better understanding on the part of the press of what Harvard is doing...and a better understanding on the part of one of Harvard's primary officers of what the press wants," Kalb said.

Kalb noted that Harvard, like other institutions, has had to deal with image problems in the past.