Academics
DSO Looks Ahead to Virtual Visitas, On-Campus Outdoor Programming
Administrators at the Dean of Students Office discussed their planning for a virtual iteration of the College’s admitted students’ weekend — Visitas — and potential College-sponsored outdoor activities in an interview last week.
Student-Led Report Finds Gender, Ethnicity-Based Disparities in Computer Science at Harvard
Widespread disparities based on factors of identity persist in undergraduates’ experiences in computer science at Harvard, according to a report published Friday by the student advocacy group Harvard Women in Computer Science.
Preceptors Disappointed With FAS Review That Reaffirms Appointment Cap System
A committee charged with reviewing the role of preceptors and senior preceptors within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences released a report early this month reaffirming its stance on time-capping appointments for the non-tenured positions, prompting disappointment among preceptors in various departments.
‘Steering Your Own Ship’: Committee Concentrations Forge Unique Paths for Students and Faculty
In addition to the full departments under the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, 10 nondepartmental degree programs overseen by Standing Committees of the FAS offer undergraduate concentrations. Both faculty on these committees and students under these concentrations acknowledge the unique characteristics of pursuing one’s studies under such an administration.
‘It’s Just More Time to Do Homework’: College Students Say Wellness Days Do Not Provide Adequate Break
Faculty of Arts and Sciences Claudine Gay announced last fall that FAS would not hold a spring break in 2021 to minimize travel due to the Covid-19 pandemic and would instead designate five “wellness days,” each held on different days of the week, throughout the spring semester.
Harvard To Launch Review of Placement Exam Process in Effort To Improve Student Support, Communication
The Office of Undergraduate Education is initiating a review of Harvard College’s placement exam system and determining how to improve student support and communications during the process, according to OUE Director of Academic Policy Sarah E. Champlin-Scharff.
Economics 10b, Life Sciences 1b Lead Spring Course Enrollment
Economics 10b: “Principles of Economics” continues to reign as the most popular spring semester course for the eighth consecutive year.
UC Looks to Abolish Add-Drop Fees, Votes to Help Offset Cost of Students’ Textbooks
The Undergraduate Council passed legislation to release a statement in favor of the abolishment of Harvard's add-drop period course change fee during a Sunday meeting.
Economics Remains Most Popular Concentration for Class of 2023
Economics remained the most popular concentration for the Class of 2023, with 186 declared sophomores. Computer Science and Government also retained the second and third spots, with 120 and 111 declared sophomore concentrators, respectively.
SEAS Cancels Class on Controversial Policing Strategy After Student Petition
The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences canceled a new course this semester focused on police counterinsurgency tactics after a widespread petition called for its withdrawal, SEAS Dean Francis J. Doyle III wrote in an email to school affiliates Monday.
Across the World, Harvard Students Log onto Zoom for First Day of Spring Semester
Despite being scattered across the globe, all enrolled Harvard students faced the same experience Monday — the start of the spring semester.
Hundreds of Harvard Affiliates Petition to Renew Popular Education Gen Ed
In wake of the College’s decision to cut a popular education course from its fall offerings, undergraduates released a petition on Monday calling on Harvard’s administration to reconsider.
Covid-19 Sends Students Home, Ushers in Remote Learning
Five days after waking up to a March 10 email informing them of Harvard’s decision to de-densify campus, most College students found themselves uprooted from residential life and scattered across the globe.
Undergrads Adjust to Virtual Fall Semester
Harvard announced in July that it would welcome only freshmen and students with extenuating circumstances to campus for the fall semester and conduct its courses entirely online.
Harvard Students Launch Voter Monitoring Service in Time for Georgia Senate Runoffs
Harvard students launched a tool Friday for Georgia residents to monitor their voter registration statuses ahead of next month’s contentious Senate runoff elections in the state.
The Good, The Bad, and The Awkward: Faculty and Students Reflect on a Virtual Fall Semester
While the University’s decision to abruptly de-densify its campus in the spring gave little time to shift to virtual learning, faculty spent the summer making numerous adaptations to their courses, some of which clicked with students and others of which were met with less enthusiasm.
Students Lament Decline in Courses Soliciting Qualitative Q Guide Feedback
Some undergraduates expressed frustration that some professors did not give the option to make qualitative comments for future students to read on the Q Guide.
Despite Decrease in Concentrators, Students and Faculty Alike Defend the Humanities
Of the 18 concentrations in the Arts and Humanities division, 10 have experienced significant decreases in numbers of concentrators, six remained relatively steady, and two saw slight increases between 2015 and 2019.
Phi Beta Kappa Inducts Senior 48
Forty-eight College seniors became members of academic honor society Phi Beta Kappa’s Alpha Iota chapter on Nov. 16, joining twenty-four classmates who were elected to the society in April.
Sophomores Select Concentrations in First Completely Virtual Declaration
More than 1,300 sophomore students declared their concentrations virtually last Thursday evening, drawn mostly towards concentrations consistent with past years.
Departments Court Prospective Concentrators Amid Remote Fall
As undergraduate classes pass the midpoint of a second virtual semester, department leaders within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences say they are unsure how the coronavirus will affect students’ concentration choice.
‘I’m Absolutely Terrified’: International Students Fear a Trump Re-Election
Believing their ability to live, work, and study in the United States is in jeopardy, several of Harvard’s international students say they are afraid of the prospect that President Donald J. Trump may be re-elected less than a week from the end of voting.
Graduate School of Design Faces Backlash After Restructuring Master of Design Studies Program
The Harvard Graduate School of Design announced Friday it has restructured its Masters of Design Studies Program, raising concerns among students and alumni over how administrators came to the decision and whether the shift will dilute the degree’s educational value.