Student 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.
Students Delay Getting Covid-19 Booster Shots, Citing Inconvenience and Finals
Some Harvard students said they are holding out to get a Covid-19 booster shot until the conclusion of the fall semester, though public health experts recommend people get the shot as soon as possible.
‘Back to Our Roots’: Plant-Based Cafe Mother Juice to Open in Smith Center in March
Mother Juice, a plant-based cafe with Boston roots, is set to open a fourth location in the Smith Campus Center in March 2022.
Visual Story: Looking Back on the Fall Semester, In Animations
Here’s a look back — in animation form — at what the fall had in store at the University.
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.
UC Elects Secretary and Treasurer, Endorses Audit to Address ‘Financial Mismanagement’
The Harvard Undergraduate Council elected a new secretary and treasurer and passed legislation to endorse an independent audit of its own finances in an emergency meeting over Zoom Wednesday evening.
FAS Committee Recommends Scrapping Shopping Week in Favor of Previous-Term Registration
A Faculty of Arts and Sciences committee released a proposal recommending the College replace its current “shopping week” course registration system with a system of previous-term registration.
‘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.
Human Rights Working Group Hosts Event Calling for Action on Uyghur Crisis
Around 80 Harvard affiliates gathered in the Barker Center for the event, officially titled the Uyghur Culture Fest. The evening included catered Uyghur cuisine, dancing, and calligraphy as well as somber testimonials from those missing family members due to the current crisis.
Students from Southern Africa Cancel Winter Travel Plans Due to Omicron Travel Ban
After the United States banned travel from several countries in southern Africa due to the emergence of a new coronavirus variant, Harvard undergraduates from the region lamented that they will not return home over winter recess for fear of not being able to return to campus.
Memorial Church
Sunlight comes through the windows in Memorial Church. The Morning Prayers service takes place in Memorial Church every weekday morning.
Acrimony and Inefficiency Mar Inaugural UC Meeting Under Cheng and de Kanter
Michael Y. Cheng ’22 and Emmett E. de Kanter ’24 were inaugurated as president and vice president of the Undergraduate Council Sunday during an acrimonious meeting that was derailed by accusations of bullying and intimidation leveled at the new president.
Grays Hall Serenity Room
Margaux R. E. Winter ’21-22 and the author in the Grays Hall Serenity Room.
Karly Y. Hou
Karly Y. Hou ’23-’24 sits in Cabot Library. Hou was a frequent visitor to Cabot Library during her first year.
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.
College Developing Proposal for Double Concentrations Without Combined Thesis
A committee within Harvard’s Office of Undergraduate Education is developing a proposal to introduce double concentrations at the College, which it hopes to submit to a faculty vote in spring 2022.
Aknazar ‘Adam’ Kazhymurat ’23 Remembered as ‘Brilliant,’ ‘Kind,’ and ‘Curious’
Kazhymurat died earlier this month while on leave from Harvard in Kazakhstan. Friends and mentors of Kazhymurat remembered him as a brilliant and kindhearted individual with a passion for his studies.
Phi Beta Kappa Inducts Class of 2022 ‘Senior 48’
Forty-eight seniors learned Monday that they had been inducted into the Harvard chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society, joining the “Junior 24” selected in the spring.
‘A Silver Lining’: Harvard Student Voter Turnout Increases During Covid-19
Nearly 71 percent of Harvard University students eligible to vote cast ballots in the 2020 election, jumping roughly 9 percentage points from the previous presidential election cycle, according to data released last week by the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement.
Matcha Devastation as Students Venti About HSQ Starbucks’ Unexpected Closing
Ten years after debuting in Harvard Square, the Starbucks located at 1380 Massachusetts Avenue closed on Sunday, with the Harvard Shop set to take its place in 2022.
Starbucks Closing
A longtime staple of Harvard Square, Starbucks closed Sunday. The Harvard Shop, which is affiliated with Harvard Student Agencies, will move into the space in 2022.