College Administration
Sorority, Club Women Denounce New Policy on Facebook
Dozens of undergraduate women involved in sororities and female final clubs are taking to social media to defend their organizations and criticize a new Harvard policy that will penalize involvement in all unrecognized single-gender social groups.
A Tumultuous Year for Final Clubs
With its announcement Friday of sanctions for unrecognized single-gender social organizations, Harvard has capped off a year of tense relations with these groups. Here are the past year's most significant stories about Harvard's relationship with final clubs and other unrecognized groups.
Single-Gender Groups Criticize New Harvard Policy
Members of single-gender social organizations largely decried a new policy that will bar their members from holding leadership positions and receiving College endorsement for prestigious fellowships.
UC Leaders Raise Concerns Over New Sanctions
Leaders of the Undergraduate Council expressed concerns regarding a new policy that would penalize undergraduates for joining unrecognized single-gender social organizations, emphasizing that the policy did not take into account the wide variety of such groups at Harvard.
A Guide to Harvard's Relationship with Final Clubs
The Crimson gives a quick primer on the final clubs, institutions unique to Harvard, and the administration’s actions toward them over this tumultuous year.
In Historic Move, Harvard to Penalize Final Clubs, Greek Organizations
Starting with the Class of 2021, undergraduate members of unrecognized single-gender social organizations will be banned from holding athletic team captaincies and leadership positions in all recognized student groups. They will also be ineligible for College endorsement for top fellowships like the Rhodes and Marshall scholarships.
With End of Year Approaching, Faust Sharpens Final Club Critiques
With the future of Harvard’s final clubs uncertain, University President Drew G. Faust again criticized the organizations on Wednesday, calling the “fundamental issue” one of “exclusion and discrimination.”
Sablière Leaders Charge Admins with Ignoring Female Clubs
Three graduate leaders of the all-female Sablière Society have questioned the administration’s actions toward Harvard’s final clubs, accusing administrators of ignoring the input of female clubs.
Amid More Funding Errors, UC Considers Reading Period Rule Change
Members of the Undergraduate Council’s Finance Committee will push to change the rule prohibiting the body from funding events during reading period, after the regulation generated controversy and caused multiple financial errors in recent weeks.
In Letter to Khurana, Porcellian-Commissioned Report Scrutinizes Final Club Statistics
A professional statistical analyst, commissioned by the 225-year old Porcellian Club, sharply criticized the Harvard sexual assault prevention task force’s interpretation of survey data and recommendations for action on final clubs.
Fly Club Letter
In a letter addressed to Dean of the College Rakesh Khurana, graduate president of the Fly Richard T. Porteus Jr. ’78 called on Khurana to recuse himself from "further discussion with final clubs."
Fly Calls for Khurana to Step Back from Final Club Discourse
The Fly Club publicly called for an end to Khurana’s involvement in negotiations with the unrecognized, historically single-gender organizations.
Khurana Criticizes Final Club Media Spotlight
Last week, Khurana, who has for the most part remained silent about the national media attention, broadly criticized popular media outlets’ coverage of final clubs.
Holding Down the House: HoCos at Harvard
Addressing issues ranging from hot breakfast to security guidelines, the House committees have historically been active participants in the residential experience at the College.
Search for New Dean of Student Life Underway
After the unexpected resignation of former Dean of Student Life Stephen Lassonde only days before the beginning of the spring semester, a committee is now actively searching for his replacement.
April 15 Final Club Deadline Passes With Little Activity
Several final club leaders submitted largely non-committal responses to administrators Friday on whether they plan to adopt gender-neutral membership policies, citing a lack of clear answers to questions they had posed.
Freshman Dean’s Office Announces New Awards for Freshmen
Award season is in full swing at Harvard. In addition to the usual slate of Fulbright and Rhodes scholars, this spring will bring with it a new set of prizes for freshmen, along with a cohort of advising award winners announced Thursday.
Porcellian Graduate President Apologizes for Comments
Porcellian Club graduate board President Charles M. Storey ’82, who also serves as president of Harpoon Brewery, issued an apology on Harpoon’s website Wednesday for a rare public statement he had sent to The Crimson criticizing the College administration's actions towards final clubs.
In Tense Meeting, Khurana Floats Possible Sanction for Final Clubs
In a tense meeting with administrators that lasted almost three hours, undergraduate and graduate leaders of Harvard’s final clubs sought specifics on the College’s plan for the clubs. Although many final club attendees left largely frustrated, administrators outlined at least one uncharacteristically specific option for penalizing involvement in all-male final clubs.
In Response to UC, HUIT Clarifies HarvardKey Deadline
After the Undergraduate Council called on Harvard University Information Technology to extend a deadline for switching to HarvardKey, the University’s new online authentication system, HUIT clarified Monday that College students have until June 1, not April 20, to register.
UC Calls on HUIT to Extend HarvardKey Deadline
After a contentious debate, the Undergraduate Council sent a letter Sunday calling on Harvard University Information Technology to extend the deadline for undergraduates to sign up for HarvardKey.
Quieting Previous Publicity Campaign, Honor Council Selects 11
Eleven new students have been selected to serve on the College’s Honor Council next year, at a time when the adjudicating body has deliberately decreased its public presence.
Freshman Enrichment Program Could Be on Horizon
First-generation students and students from under-resourced high schools entering Harvard’s freshman class could see the emergence of stronger support networks—including a possible pre-orientation program—in the coming years.
Students Reflect on Sexual Assault at ‘Hear Me Now’ Vigil
Shrouded by candlelight on the steps of Memorial Church, students spoke out against sexual assault and shared personal stories Wednesday night as administrators and other spectators looked on.
Corporation ‘Regularly’ Consults Khurana About Final Clubs
The College's final clubs have come under scrutiny from a group less historically involved in undergraduate social life: the Harvard Corporation, the University’s highest governing body.