Faculty
The Top 10 Stories
As faculty members debated changes to their health benefit plans and administrators pushed through a proposal to create the College's first honor code, 2014 saw a flurry of change and controversy on Harvard's campus. The planned reenactment of a satanic "black mass" drew criticism from both the University president and outside observers; as Harvard faced two federal probes into its compliance with Title IX, administrators unveiled plans to overhaul their approach to addressing the increasingly national issue of sexual assault on campus. With an eye toward the new year, The Crimson takes a look at 2014's biggest stories.
Researchers Pave Way for Anti-Obesity Drug
The discovery could help transform the body’s energy-storing white fat into energy-burning brown fat.
Physics Professor Awarded Fellowship for Nanotech Research
Yacoby’s research is primarily focused on how particles behave at a nanoscale.
Zelen Remembered as Generous, Original Biostatistician
Zelen, a professor in the Biostatistics department at the School of Public Health, died on Nov. 15 from cancer. He was 87.
Professor Wins History of Science Award
The Sarton Medal is awarded every year to a scholar from the international community and is considered one of the highest honors in the history of science field.
‘Breakthough Prize’ Grants $3 Million to Univ. Researchers
The awards were given to 12 recipients in in the celebrity-studded “Breakthrough Prize Ceremony” on Nov. 9.
Herbarium Celebrates 90 Years
To honor the anniversary, former interim Dean of the College Donald H. Pfister discussed a few of the collections out of the millions of specimens in the Herbarium.
Controversial Study Photographed 29 Courses in Total
Harvard Initiative for Learning and Teaching researchers photographed students in 29 courses during a controversial attendance study last spring, the researchers said Thursday when pressed to disclose the exact number of courses studied.
Harvard Will Keep Controversial Health Plans, Faust Says, But Will Subsidize Some Affected Employees
University President Drew G. Faust wrote Thursday night that Harvard will keep the controversial changes in place for 2015 but will also establish a fund to mitigate cost increases for some employees and explore alternative plan designs for the future.
Committee on Study of Religion Endorses Section Cap
The body became the sixth department or committee to extend its support of the Harvard Teaching Campaign, a group of teaching fellows and students calling for smaller sections.
Social Studies To Move to William James Hall
The move from the committee's current location in the Radcliffe Quad will officially take place on Jan. 5, 2015, in preparation for the start of the spring semester.
Computer Science Faculty To Increase by 50 Percent with Ballmer Gift
The donation, from former Microsoft CEO and longtime donor Steven A. Ballmer '77, will fund 12 professorships in the field.
Undergrad Ed Group Debates Accessibility of Q Difficulty Scores
At the semester’s final Committee on Undergraduate Education meeting Wednesday, students, faculty, and administrators discussed ways to improve the difficulty component of the evaluation tool.
Bol Notifies Students Affected by Controversial Attendance Study
While it did not offer more information on the courses involved, Bol’s email to affected students provided details on how cameras were used in classrooms.
Head Ec10 TF To Depart Harvard After Spring Term
David W. Johnson and his wife, Anne Pringle, an associate professor in the Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Department, will be moving to Wisconsin at the end of the academic year.
UC Expresses 'Concern' over Attendance Study
Undergraduate Council representatives passed legislation that expressed concern over a recent study that photographed certain classes without the knowledge of professors or students, and requested that the University release the relevant findings.
As Congress Turns Red, Faculty Expect Continued Gridlock
As Republicans took control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, Harvard political experts said that the new power dynamic in America’s government would not significantly change the existing political climate in Washington.
Faculty Unanimously Passes Motion Asking Corp. To Reverse Health Benefits Changes
A tense back and forth between administrators defending the policy changes and FAS professors, who loudly applauded each other after each statement condemning the policy, followed the introduction of the motion.
Bol Authorized Study that Photographed Faculty, Students in Class without Notice
Bol’s comments came in response to a question from Computer Science professor Harry R. Lewis ’68, who said he learned of the photographing—which took place during the spring 2014 semester—from two of his colleagues.
News Analysis: Potential CS50 Partnership Could Model Future Collaboration
If approved, Yale's proposal to adopt a version of CS50 could lay the foundation for a new model of inter-university curricular partnerships in an era of institutional experimentation with online education.
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.
The Secret History of Wonder Woman
Jill Lepore, David Woods Kemper ’41 Professor of American History, looks up at her presentation, titled "How Wonder Woman Got into Harvard". Lepore's lecture at the Knafel Center accompanied the recent release of her newest book, titled "The Secret History of Wonder Woman."
How Wonder Woman Got into Harvard
Jill Lepore, David Woods Kemper ’41 Professor of American History, delivers a lecture titled "How Wonder Woman Got into Harvard" at the Knafel Center on Thursday night. Lepore's lecture accompanied the recent release of her newest book, titled "The Secret History of Wonder Woman".
Prof. Files Motion Requesting Health Benefits Changes Reversal
If the motion passes—by a majority vote of the present Faculty members—Faust would not be compelled to make any changes to the benefits plans, but the request would carry the formal support of the full Faculty.
Faculty Divestment
Chemistry professor James G. Anderson describes the effects of climate instability at a Harvard Faculty for Divestment presentation in Fong Auditorium on Sunday.