Chatterjee, Former Dunster Tutor, Hired in Currier House

Avik Chatterjee ’02, a former Dunster resident tutor who was widely regarded as an ally to BGLTQ students in the House but was not asked back to the position last spring, has been hired to serve as a resident tutor in Currier House beginning this fall.

Chatterjee won an award for his work as a BGLTS and race relations tutor in Dunster last May, and more than 160 Dunster House students signed a petition calling for his reinstatement in the late spring after they raised concerns about the House’s BGLTQ advising resources.

Avik Chatterjee '02, a former Dunster resident tutor who was widely regarded as an ally to BGLTQ students in the House but was not asked back to the position last spring. By Nayab Ahmad

While Dunster House Master Roger B. Porter said at the time that the House normally does not reappoint tutors who are graduating, the decision prompted pushback from students who worried that they were losing a close ally. The students presented their petition to Dean of Student Life Stephen Lassonde.

Lassonde said at the time that he met with students from Dunster House and that they had a “very thoughtful discussion about House life and their aspirations for the Dunster community," but declined to comment further.

In Currier, Chatterjee will serve on the Quad House's pre-med committee, according to an email newsletter from House Administrator Patricia G. Pepper. He will also serve as a race relations tutor and will help coordinate the House’s intramural sports teams, according to various emails sent to House residents.

Chatterjee declined to comment for this article, in accordance with the preferences of Currier House Masters Richard W. Wrangham and Elizabeth A. Ross.

Chatterjee graduated from his School of Public Health Program last spring and is now a research fellow in population medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Chatterjee’s brother, Ayan Chatterjee, served as a tutor in Currier before leaving after last year.

—Staff writer Ivan B. K. Levingston can be reached at Ivan.Levingston@thecrimson.com. Follow him on Twitter @IvanLevingston.