Editorials
Dissent: With Pass-Fail Policy, the FAS Would Make Grades Even More Meaningless
Grade inflation and compression, worse with every passing year, pose a serious threat to the health of Harvard. The last thing the FAS should do now is give students another out.
FAS Changes Won’t Fix Prior Term Registration
We have learned to dread Faculty of Arts and Sciences discussions of course enrollment — and for good reason.
Editorial Snippets: Valentine’s Day Limericks
The staff of The Crimson Editorial Board share Valentine's Day-themed snippets in poem form.
Removing Native Artifacts Isn’t Enough
To reckon with Harvard’s crimes against New England’s original inhabitants, the University and the Peabody still have much to do.
Garber Should Resign From Vertex for Harvard’s Sake
Given the potential conflicts of interest and the obvious appearance of impropriety, we believe Garber would be wise to resign from his role at Vertex.
Plagiarism Is the Right’s Newest Weapon. Harvard Must Disarm It.
As the culture wars lurch on, the right has found a perfect weapon with which to hit the university — taken straight from the academy’s arsenal itself: claims of plagiarism.
Keep the Corporation, Lose the Corporatism
Rather than continuing to select financiers to serve at Harvard’s helm, the Corporation would be wise to tap into more talent from the academy and other institutions outside the corporate world.
Harvard Must Remind the World: Money Donated Remains Money Well-Spent
It’s time instead for Harvard to tell the world — and, yes, its donors — what we see first-hand every day: Harvard is not perfect, but it is still very, very good.
With Congress on Harvard’s Heels, Cooperation is the Best Option
After political prosecution in the court of public opinion, Harvard has the opportunity to clear its name.
Dissent: Penslar Minimizes Antisemitism. He Can’t Lead the Fight Against It.
Derek J. Penslar — Harvard’s pick to lead its new presidential task force on antisemitism — should tackle claims of antisemitism, not minimize them in interviews with the national press.
With New Task Forces, Harvard May Finally Have Found Its Spine
After months of vacillation, Garber’s new task forces are a first step toward bridging the divides in our community. But they are just that: a first step.
Editorial Snippets: Reflecting on a Tumultuous Winter Break
How should we view this moment of Harvard’s history? We asked our Editorial Board’s editors for their thoughts on several key questions, as Gay’s tenure enters the rearview mirror and the University lurches into a new semester — and new era — ahead.
Harvard Must Learn The Lessons of President Gay’s Troubled Tenure.
After months of rancor and turmoil, Harvard again confronts the question: What comes next?
President Gay Plagiarized, but She Should Stay. For Now.
We do not believe President Gay should resign. At least, not now. Our 30th president still had a long road ahead. We should wait to see where it leads.
Dissent: For Harvard’s Sake, It’s Time to Let Gay Go
Harvard’s presidency is no empty honor; it is a challenging managerial job with challenging duties, not least of which is navigating national outcry. In each of these respects, Gay has failed.
Harvard and President Gay Must Not Yield
We urge you: Do not allow Congress to tell the story of this moment on campus. We are students at Harvard, and this is our campus. We have witnessed, firsthand, the vitriol of these past few months, and we would like to set the record straight.
Harvard Shouldn’t Be So Important
For decades, America has over-invested its resources in a handful of burnished institutions like Harvard. Meanwhile, options better tailored to generate social mobility have been neglected.
Harvard Out of the Courts, Comaroff Back to the Classroom
The legal fight involving professor John L. Comaroff appears to be headed toward mediation. Onlookers might speculate that the plaintiffs chose not to go to trial because they have a weak case, or don’t care enough about justice. That’s almost certainly wrong. Here’s why.
Dissent: Abolish Advanced Placement
Sure, the Advanced Placement program provides a standard. But a bad standard is worse than none at all. We should abolish it.
Advanced Placement or the (Other) Devil We Know
Though we recognize the College Board and its offerings as flawed, we still see value in a rigorous curricular option for high-school students administered by a non-governmental organization.
Dissent: Bigger Isn’t Always Better
The Board’s well-meaning aspirations of accessibility are just that — aspirational. A bigger Harvard is not necessarily a better Harvard. Elitism doubled is still elitism.
Harvard Should Be Bigger
For a well-endowed school that prides itself on providing access to high-achieving students of all backgrounds, Harvard's stubborn exclusivity requires remedy.
A Flourishing Diversity of Faith
The Harvard Crimson released results from its annual survey of the incoming first year class. Tucked away in the “Politics & Beliefs” corner of the survey lies an oft-overlooked yet important barometer of student diversity: religious belief.
Harvard Says It’s Going Green. How Much Is Hot Air?
According to its latest annual sustainability report, Harvard’s net greenhouse gas emissions held constant for the seventh consecutive year in 2022. While these figures indicate progress, Harvard needs to clear the air regarding how much.
Learning Leadership, Spreading Stress
The Kennedy School may have pioneered an effective way to teach leadership; it is time for administrators to wield their own leadership abilities to tackle mental health concerns at HKS.