University
Harvard Hillel Executive Director Accuses Cornel West, Supporters of Furthering ‘Anti-Jewish Conspiracy Theory’ in Tenure Controversy
Responding to vigorous campus support for Professor Cornel R. West ’74 — who said last month Harvard declined to consider him for tenure in part due to his outspoken criticism of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians — Rabbi Jonah C. Steinberg, executive director of Harvard Hillel, criticized West for having “egged students on” in “scapegoating and demonizing” Jewish people.
Harvard Professors Help Found Nonprofit Committed to Academic Freedom
Eighteen Harvard affiliates — including Cornel R. West ’74, Steven A. Pinker, and Ronald S. Sullivan Jr. — signed on as founding members of a new nonpartisan nonprofit that officially launched Monday, the Academic Freedom Alliance.
Inside Harvard’s Cautious Reopening Approach in the Year of Covid
Backed by deep pockets and a slew of in-house resources and expertise, Harvard has opted for a conservative approach to reopening that has kept on-campus case rates consistently low but left students scattered across the globe.
Professors Tapped By Bacow to Study Harvard’s Ties To Slavery Discuss Committee’s Work
The chair and two members of the Presidential Committee on Harvard and the Legacy of Slavery met for a Tuesday afternoon virtual webinar to discuss the Committee’s work and plans.
Garber ‘Very Optimistic’ Ahead of Graduate Student Union Negotiations
With the negotiations over a second contract between Harvard and its graduate student union looming, University Provost Alan M. Garber ’76 said in an interview Friday that he is “very optimistic” going into bargaining.
Cornel West To Depart Harvard, Return To Union Theological Seminary
Professor Cornel R. West ’74 announced his departure from Harvard to Union Theological Seminary Monday in an interview with the online publication The Boycott Times, weeks after West alleged Harvard denied his request to be considered for tenure.
UC Endorses Calls on Harvard to Condemn Alleged Human Rights Violations During Protests in India
The Undergraduate Council passed legislation Sunday endorsing a petition calling on Harvard administrators and the University’s Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute to “denounce the detention and repression” of protesters in India under Prime Minister Narendra D. Modi’s administration.
Law Prof. Ramseyer Thanked Supporter Who Disparaged Korean People, According to Email Exchange Posted Online
Harvard Law professor of Japanese Legal Studies J. Mark Ramseyer reportedly sent a thank you message to a supporter this week whose email denigrated Koreans’ “national character” and called Ramseyer Japan’s “only hope.”
Endowment Sells Off Stocks in Major Technology Companies, Invests in Microsoft and Biopharmaceutical Companies in Fourth Quarter
In the final months of 2020, Harvard Management Company sold its shares in multiple major technology companies, including Google’s Alphabet, Inc., and made new investments in others, like Microsoft, while maintaining portfolio growth from the previous quarter.
Massachusetts Court Dismisses Lawsuit Over Harvard’s Possession of Slave Photos
A Middlesex Superior Court judge on Tuesday dismissed Connecticut resident Tamara K. Lanier’s lawsuit against Harvard alleging that the University unlawfully possesses and profits from historic photos she says depict her enslaved ancestors. Lanier plans to appeal the decision.
Black Womxn Deans Discuss Diversity in Women’s Week Panel
Three Harvard administrators who were appointed in 2020 to lead diversity and inclusion efforts at the University gathered to discuss their work at a panel discussion hosted by the Harvard College Women’s Center Wednesday afternoon.
Amid Cornel West’s Tenure Dispute, Faculty and Students Clash Over Harvard’s Treatment Of Black Scholars
In light of the threatened departure of Professor Cornel R. West ’74, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Claudine Gay said that Harvard is “unequivocally” committed to supporting an environment in which faculty of color can thrive.
As Scientists Rally to His Defense, Lieber Rules Out Plea Deal, Plans To Stand Trial
Former Harvard Chemistry chair Charles M. Lieber is set to go to trial on federal charges after his attorney eliminated the possibility of a plea in a Friday status conference.
‘Doesn’t Cut It’: College Seniors React to Commencement Announcement
Harvard’s decision Friday to postpone its in-person Commencement Exercises in favor of a May virtual ceremony for the second year in a row was met with dismay but expectation from some seniors.
Harvard Postpones 370th Commencement, Ruth J. Simmons To Speak at Virtual Ceremony
Harvard will postpone its Commencement Exercises and hold a virtual ceremony in May for the second consecutive year to heed public health guidelines during the coronavirus pandemic, University President Lawrence S. Bacow announced Friday.
Harvard Management Company Has Reduced Exposure to Fossil Fuels By 80 Percent Since 2008, Per Report
The Harvard Management Company has reduced its investments in fossil fuels by 80 percent since 2008 as it works to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions associated with the University's endowment by 2050, according to a company report published Thursday.
In Light of Cornel West’s Threatened Departure, Harvard Doctoral Students Call on University to Grant Him Tenure
Doctoral students spanning across Harvard’s graduate and professional schools penned a letter in support of Practice of Public Philosophy Cornel R. West ’74, who recently threatened a second departure from the University after he said the administration dismissed his request to be considered for tenure.
Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Charleston Lays Out Steps Toward ‘Inclusive Excellence’ at Alumni Webinar
Sherri A. Charleston, Harvard’s first Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, outlined her approach to creating an environment of “inclusive excellence” during a Tuesday webinar co-sponsored by the Harvard Alumni Association and the Asian American, Black, Latino, and Native American alumni groups.
Grad Union Meets with Harvard to Discuss Covid-19 Health and Safety Concerns
Harvard’s graduate student union met with University administrators last Tuesday to discuss concerns over health and safety, including access to mental health and specialist care, Covid-19 contact tracing, and protections for student workers working remotely.
Harvard’s 2020 Lobbying Expenditures Top Ivy League, Focusing on Pandemic, Immigration Legislation
University President Lawrence S. Bacow and representatives from the University’s Office of Federal Relations lobbied the White House and Congress on issues tied to student financial aid, research funding, and taxes on Harvard’s $41.9 billion endowment. Last year also brought legislation related to the coronavirus pandemic and immigration to the forefront of the University’s lobbying activities.
Harvard Is the City of Cambridge’s Largest Employer — For 32nd Time in 35 Years
For the twenty-first consecutive year, Harvard University has been named the largest employer in the City of Cambridge.
Extension School Students Seek Degree Name Change, Consider Current Labeling ‘Unethical,’ ‘Disrespectful’
As online education persists during the ongoing pandemic, Harvard Extension School students have renewed calls on the University to alter the school’s degree names to “accurately reflect students’ programs of study."
SEAS Prof. Behind Withdrawn Policing Course Continues Research, Plans Fall 2021 Iteration
Bioengineering professor Kevin K. “Kit” Parker wrote in a Thursday statement to The Crimson that he plans to teach a course on data analysis and policing strategy in fall 2021, despite cancelling the course this semester after student backlash.
Harvard Falls Short on 2020 Goals to Reduce Waste and Water Use
Despite reductions in campus greenhouse gas emissions, Harvard failed to meet 2020 waste and water reduction goals set forth by the University’s 2014 Sustainability Plan.
A Law Student Noticed the Dearth of Professional Clothing for Women. She Created Her Own Company To Fill It.
Second-year Harvard Law School student Logan E. Brown recently launched professional pantsuit company Spencer Jane after cross-enrolling in courses at the Harvard Business School and working with the Harvard Innovation Labs.