College Finance
Ten Stories that Shaped 2014
2014 saw a lot of change and controversy as members of the Harvard community reacted to events on campus and across the nation. In this feature, the Crimson will recap the 10 stories that shaped 2014 with an eye towards the new year.
UC Voices Frustration at Smith, Nixes Automatic Section Size Question
Undergraduate Council leaders maintained a critical tone toward Harvard administrators in the weekly UC meeting Sunday, and Council members also voted down automatically initiating a ballot question on section sizes.
Financial Aid Office Renamed for Griffin '89
Griffin, founder of Chicago-based investment firm Citadel, donated $150 million to the University in February. At least $125 million of the gift will go toward financial aid.
Analysis Reveals Disparity in House Committee Budgets
Eliot’s House committee plans to spend about $120 per every undergraduate resident this year, while Adams’ House committee intends to spend about $70, a Crimson analysis of recently disclosed House budgets found.
UC Approves Budget, Elects New Secretary
Few changes were made to this year’s budget, but the Council did debate how to allocate additional funds it will receive in revenue.
College Ups Funding for Student Group Transportation Following Student Death
The College will offer an additional $30,000 in grants for domestic student group travel this academic year in response to recommendations from a working group convened last spring.
Khurana Names New Dean for Administration, Finance
In one of his first moves as dean of the College, Rakesh Khurana has named Rutgers University administrator Sheila Thimba the College’s new dean of administration and finance, filling a post that has been without a permanent appointee for nearly a year.
Despite Support, Smith Says University Will Not Fund UC Budget Increase this Year
Following a meeting Monday with Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Michael D. Smith, top Undergraduate Council leaders said that their request for a 50 percent increase in funding for student activities this year from the University was denied, even as Smith voiced support for their efforts and discussed funding possibilities for the future.
More Money, $ame Problem$
If you haven't been busy binge-watching House of Cards or cramming for your next midterm, you might have noticed that someone has donated a cool $150 million to Harvard. But before you start celebrating like you just won the lottery, keep in mind that just because the school got the money it doesn’t mean you will be getting your own butler any time soon. Here are a few other things we won’t see on campus, even with this generous donation.
Harvard's Endowment Over the Years
Harvard's endowment returns have been generally in line with the national average in the past few years, but historically exceeded it, according to data from the National Association of College and University Business Officers and Commonfund Institute.
Former Harvard Timber Contractor Accused of Bribery, Money Laundering
While a contractor for Scolopax, a Harvard-owned timber company in Romania, Dragos Lipan Secu allegedly conspired with timber sellers to purchase timberland at artificially high prices.
Endowment Growth Trails National Average, Report Shows
Harvard’s endowment grew at a slower rate than the national average for American colleges and universities, as well as many of its peer institutions, in fiscal year 2013, according to data released Tuesday by the National Association of College and University Business Officers and Commonfund Institute.
Students React to Proposed Campus Center
Though University President Drew G. Faust emphasized that the new Richard A. & Susan F. Smith Campus Center would foster “one University” for all Harvard students, many students across the University remain skeptical about whether Faust’s goal can be accomplished.
A High-Stakes Dean Search: Transition in University Hall During the Capital Campaign
Administrators and student leaders say that the next permanent College Dean has the potential to maximize the College’s gains from the campaign, particularly if he or she is called upon to serve a more active role in soliciting donations.
Dean Pfister Would Like You To Know He Is Reading a Mystery Novel
The College’s top administrator treated undergraduates to another quirky email on Monday, this time updating us on the campus beekeeping scene, the fall foliage, and his latest reading pursuits.
Yardfest, A Shrinking Stage?
Tyga’s controversial lyrics might go largely unheard if there isn’t a strong showing at this year’s Yardfest. But is it just "Rack City" that could make Yardfest less successful than spring festivals at other universities?
Students' Discovery Points to Tyga For Yardfest Artist
Two undergraduates wrote a computer program Tuesday night to access a hidden promotional image of rapper Tyga on yardfest.org just hours before the website said it would reveal the artist set to perform at the annual spring concert in Harvard Yard.
Outside Funding at Harvard
The Federal Government supplies millions of dollars of research funding to Harvard every year. With the coming Sequester, much of this will not be renewed. On this map, Harvard's schools are colored by the proportion of their budget that is made up of sponsored programs. Click a school for more detail.
University's Annual Report Shows Rise in Deficit, Decrease in Total Debt
Harvard sustained a small deficit of $4.5 million in the last fiscal year resulting from a 3 percent increase in University operating costs, according to the annual University Financial Report released Friday morning.
Graduating with Debt
“It’s like a paycheck-to-paycheck sort of process,” says Sasanka N. Jinadasa ’15 as she sits in Lowell dining hall.
Jay Herlihy Appointed Dean of Finance for FAS
Jay Herlihy will be the new Dean of Finance for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences as of Sept. 26, according to an email sent to members of FAS Friday morning.
Free Shirts for Hosts
The Undergraduate Admissions Office distributed t-shirts to undergraduates hosting admitted students to thank them for their contributions to Visitas Weekend.
Parents Question Answer
During an event for parents of the class of 2016, a couple from California gets their questions answered by a freshman volunteering for the Undergraduate Admissions Council. The parents were looking to hear first hand strories about student life on campus to help their son make a decision after the visiting weekend was over.
UC Votes to Endorse the Fair Harvard Fund
The Undergraduate Council votes to endorse the Fair Harvard Fund, an initiative that aims to establish a Social Choice Fund to assure that alumni donations go to investments approved by environmental, social, and governmental criteria.