University News
Harvard Will Move Ahead with In-Person Spring Semester Despite Rising Covid Cases
Harvard will move forward with an in-person spring semester even as Covid-19 cases soar around the United States.
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, Faculty Reflect on 100 Years of Harvard Business School’s Case Method
One hundred years since its inception, the case method has evolved into a cornerstone of Harvard Business School.
Charles Lieber’s Trial Begins Tuesday: Here’s What You Need to Know
Former Harvard Chemistry chair Charles M. Lieber is set to stand trial Tuesday on six federal charges related to his ties to the Chinese government, nearly two years after his initial arrest.
Kennedy School Students Pen Dueling Letters to Visa on Payment Policies to Adult Websites
More than 500 Harvard affiliates signed on to an open letter to Visa CEO Alfred F. Kelly, Jr., urging the company to adopt policies they argue will curb the spread of illegal pornographic materials.
Experts Say Lieber Trial Could Decide Fate of DOJ’s China Initiative
As former Harvard Chemistry chair Charles M. Lieber goes on trial on federal charges beginning Tuesday, law and trade experts speculated that his case’s outcome could decide the fate of the Department of Justice’s China Initiative.
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.
HGSE Launches Online Education Leadership Master’s Program Targeting Mid-Career Professionals
The Harvard Graduate School of Education is launching a new fully-online master’s program in Education Leadership, part of its efforts to increase access for mid-career professionals, HGSE Dean Bridget Terry Long said in an interview Wednesday.
DCE Uses Portable Technology to Support Students Learning Remotely
Instructors at the Harvard Division of Continuing Education can now accomodate teaching students learning both in person and remotely in nearly every classroom thanks to the portable technology software HELIX.
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Pledges $500 Million for AI Institute at Harvard
Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan ’07 pledged $500 million over the next 15 years to found the Kempner Institute for the Study of Natural and Artificial Intelligence at Harvard, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative announced Tuesday.
Kennedy School Directs Budget Surplus Toward Diversity and Equity Initiatives
HKS Dean Douglas W. Elmendorf said in an interview Tuesday that because of the surplus, HKS broke even over the past two years — an outcome he said was “much better” than the school had feared.
Custodians Reach Tentative Contract Agreement with Harvard
The union representing Harvard’s custodial workers reached a four-year tentative agreement for a contract with the University Friday, securing wage increases.
Unconcerned by Crowds, Bacow Says He Hopes Commencement Will Help Local Businesses
As Harvard prepares to host two Commencement ceremonies in four days this spring, University President Lawrence S. Bacow said he is unconcerned about the hordes of people who will be traveling to campus for the events.
HMS Office for Community-Centered Medical Education Receives $150,000 Donation
Harvard Medical School received a $150,000 donation on Nov. 19 to support the current development of an office for community-centered medical education.
Harvard’s Culture Lab Taps 14 Projects for Diversity and Inclusion Grants
Harvard’s Culture Lab Innovation Fund awarded grants to 14 teams working on projects to further diversity and inclusion on Harvard’s campus, the University announced last month.
‘A Wide Range of Experiences’: Harvard Clerical and Technical Workers Incorporate Remote Work
Harvard’s more than 5,000 unionized clerical and technical workers have faced different transitions back to working on campus. Juggling health guidelines as well as employees’ needs and preferences, many departments switched — temporarily or permanently — to hybrid arrangements.
Bacow Offers Support for Proposed DACA Reinstatement in Letter to DHS
University President Lawrence S. Bacow penned a letter to the Department of Homeland Security calling on the DHS to reinstate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program on Monday.
Visitors Laud Science and Culture Museums’ Public Reopening
After an extended shutdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Harvard Museums of Science and Culture and its programs reopened to both Harvard affiliates and the general public last week.
Lee Set to Leave Top Post on the Harvard Corporation in June
William F. Lee ’72, who holds the top post on the Harvard Corporation — the University’s highest governing body — is set to leave the board in June after 12 years.
‘A Hard Stop’: How Harvard’s Dental School Graduated Every Student Despite a Pandemic Shutdown
Dental School faculty worked "day and night" to ensure students stayed afloat with limited clinical instruction.
Harvard Grad Student Union Ratifies 4-Year Contract With 70.6% Approval
Harvard’s graduate student union ratified a four-year contract with the University in a vote that ended Saturday, with 70.6 percent of voters in support.
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.
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.
On Eve of Ratification Vote, Grad Students Divided on Tentative Contract Agreement
Harvard graduate student union members remain split ahead of the vote on whether to ratify the tentative contract agreement reached Monday.
Harvard Likely to Loosen Campus Covid Restrictions in the Spring, Garber Says
As its first in-person semester in over a year winds down, Harvard is preparing to loosen its on-campus Covid-19 restrictions, which include mask requirements and limits on gatherings.