House Life
Ten Stories That Shaped 2021
At Harvard, 2021 was a year marked by change. The school’s long-awaited return to in-person operations injected new life into a campus that had been left dormant for over a year by Covid-19. And in an unexpected shift, the University announced its intention to divest its endowment from fossil fuels after a decade of public pressure. Separately, faculty controversies — including a federal conviction and a high-profile departure — ignited debates that rippled across academia. Below, The Crimson looks back at the 10 stories that shaped the last year at Harvard.
Harvard Campus Covid Cases Surge to Highest-Ever Rate as the Fall Semester Winds Down
Harvard's Covid-19 case count has surged to its highest point since the start of the pandemic over the last week, sending hundreds of affiliates into isolation while students begin to depart for winter break.
No Pants? Snow Problem. Primal Scream Makes a Hollering Comeback
Baring it all in the season’s first snowfall, hundreds of Harvard students gathered outside Wednesday night in jackets, underwear, and little else to resume the boisterous tradition of streaking around Harvard Yard the midnight before finals.
‘A Slow Rebuild’: Undergraduates Reflect on In-Person Semester
After his freshman year was truncated by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Roderick P. “Roddy” Emley ’23-’24 said he is slowly adjusting to life back on campus.
‘Exceeded My Expectations’: Student Performers Laud Return to In-Person Programming
After more than a year of adapting to virtual programming, Harvard’s vibrant performing arts groups have roared back to life. Though they have faced challenges adhering to Covid-19 restrictions, artists said the ability to come together in person again is well-worth it.
Committee Sets Framework for Renaming Controversial Harvard Buildings, Titles
The committee charged with determining when Harvard should remove the names or representations of individuals from its buildings, programs, and professorships released a final report Thursday recommending a “careful, painstaking, and laborious” process for making denaming decisions.
‘Functionally Food Insecurity’: Harvard Students’ Decades-Long Push For Hot Kosher Lunch
Roughly 40 undergrads keep kosher, following strict dietary restrictions according to Jewish law, but just one dining hall covered by Harvard’s undergraduate meal plan, Harvard Hillel, is kosher, and it is only open for dinner.
Jesse P. K. Rankin
Jesse P. K. Rankin runs through the Adams House tunnels. Jesse, whose parents are tutors in the house, has lived in Adams for three years.
HUDS Pilots Hot Kosher Lunch Options in Quincy House
Harvard University Dining Services will offer a hot kosher lunch option upon request in Quincy House, starting Wednesday.
DSO Planning Spring Reopening for House Grilles, Junior Parent Weekend
Administrators at the Dean of Students Office discussed plans to reopen House grilles and host Junior Parents Weekend in the spring semester in an interview last month.
Four Harvard Seniors Awarded American Rhodes Scholarship
Four Harvard seniors were awarded the American Rhodes Scholarship to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford in fields ranging from mathematical theoretical physics to public policy.
Khurana Urges Student Vigilance Following Local Crimes, Ahead of Covid-Era Holiday Travel
Dean of the College Rakesh Khurana urged undergraduates in a Friday interview to remain vigilant after a recent spate of local crimes and as many students prepare to travel for Thanksgiving amid the pandemic.
UC Doubles Wintersession Grants and Funds ‘Crimson Takes Cambridge’ Program
The Undergraduate Council passed legislation to expand the Wintersession program and to fund a new program that will allow students to explore local restaurants at a discounted rate during its Sunday meeting.
Harvard to Host Joint Commencement Ceremony for Classes of 2020, 2021 This Spring
Harvard will host a joint Commencement ceremony for its last two graduating classes this spring, allowing the Classes of 2020 and 2021 to celebrate graduation in person after their exercises were postponed due to the pandemic.
‘I Missed It So Much’: Adams Dining Hall Reopens, Though Some Fruit Flies Remain
The Adams House dining hall reopened Friday after shutting down for two weeks due to an infestation of fruit flies.
College Allows Students to Host Larger Indoor Gatherings to Expand Social Life During Covid
College students are now permitted to gather indoors in groups of up to 25 people, an increase from the previous limit of 10 people, according to University health guidelines updated last week.
Adams Dining Hall Remains Closed as Students Battle ‘Tenacious’ Fruit Flies
After shutting down temporarily last week due to a fruit fly infestation, the Adams House dining hall will likely remain closed for the rest of the week while repair work gets underway to address the source of the scourge.
Grad Student Union Strike Disrupts Freshman Parents Weekend
Harvard’s graduate student union picketed freshman parents weekend events Thursday and Friday, including University President Lawrence S. Bacow’s welcoming address and lectures open to visiting parents, to maximize the effects of its three-day strike.
DSO Anticipates Harvard-Yale Programming, Reviews Blocking Process
Administrators at the Dean of Students Office discussed the upcoming Harvard-Yale game, their review of the blocking process, and the House Grille reopening strategy in a Friday interview with The Crimson.
Booster Shot Not Yet Mandatory, Health Services Executive Director Says
Harvard will not make Covid-19 booster shots mandatory anytime soon, University Health Services Executive Director Giang T. Nguyen said in a Thursday interview.
Freshmen Parents Brave Strike, Storms for Family Weekend
Parents, siblings, and relatives of the Class of 2025 had to dodge strikers and escape storms this weekend as they visited Harvard for First-Year Family Weekend.