McCluskey also points to smaller monetary and in-kind donations to local sports teams and community groups. Harvard has invited residents to use its sports facilities, he says, and its students have offered their volunteer services to local organizations.

Over the past few years, the University has offered Allston-Brighton residents a number of scholarships to the extension school and summer school.

The University has also sought to allay residents’ anxieties over its tax-exempt status, which could mean Allston losing millions in tax revenue.

Harvard’s commercial properties, which make up much of its current Allston presence, are still taxed. And in the future, McCluskey says, as Harvard takes land off the tax rolls it will make up for lost revenue through higher voluntary payments to the city.

“We can’t correct the fact that not everyone is fully informed,” McCluskey says. “We’re more focused on keeping the warm embers burning as opposed to trying to create daily fireworks.”

To many residents, the University’s efforts have so far proved largely unconvincing.

“People don’t feel a connection to [Harvard],” says Minnie Walcott, who lives in one of the apartments that Harvard helped renovate. “It would be better if they’re in the community a little more, if they can show people that they’re out there and they care.”

But another resident in the complex says he appreciates Harvard’s efforts.

Scott Hinton, a 48-year-old single father, regularly takes his daughter to university-sponsored community events.

“I may be among the minority,” he says, “but I don’t think they can do anymore than what they’re doing now.”

He’s grateful for Harvard’s support of after-school and sports programs and holds out hope for the University’s future in his neighborhood.

“There’ll probably be more noise, but it will be safer and nicer,” he says. “I see nothing but the best.”

Homes for All?

To many tenants, Harvard’s most significant contribution to the community so far has been toward affordable housing.

In 2000, the University established a continuously-replenished $10 million loan fund to help affordable housing projects in Boston. And last year, it made a separate $3.5 million donation to build a housing complex in south Allston.