University News
Harvard Files Motion to Dismiss Lawsuit over Prison Investments
Harvard filed a motion Wednesday to dismiss a lawsuit brought by Harvard Prison Divestment Campaign over the University’s alleged investments in companies tied to the prison industry.
Beginning First Phase of Reopening, Harvard Libraries Offer Some In-Person Book Pickups, Resume Scan and Deliver Services
The Harvard Library began providing in-person book pickup and resumed its scan and deliver services Tuesday as part of its first phase of reopening, librarians Anna Assogba and Fred Burchsted wrote in an email to Harvard affiliates Tuesday.
Harvard Releases Gift Policy Guide, Outlines Considerations for Philanthropic Gifts
The first-of-its-kind gift policy guide's listed central priorities include “upholding academic freedom," “adhering to institutional values,” and "avoiding conflicts of interest."
Kennedy School Study Links Police Violence to Diminished Educational Outcomes and Student Trauma
A Harvard Kennedy School study released this month suggests a direct link between police violence and diminished academic performance of inner-city students.
Grad Union Ratifies First-Ever Contract
After nearly two years of negotiations and more than five years of union organizing, members of Harvard Graduate Students Union-United Automobile Workers voted to ratify the union’s first contract with the University Tuesday.
Harvard Drops Social Group Sanctions Following Supreme Court Sex Discrimination Decision
Harvard will not enforce its social group sanctions as a result of a recent Supreme Court decision on sex discrimination, University President Lawrence S. Bacow wrote in an email Monday afternoon.
Incoming HAA President West to Take Office July 1
Incoming Harvard Alumni Association President John J. West Jr. will begin his term as president on July 1.
Harvard Medical School Affiliates Hold COVID-19 Briefing on Reopening Strategies for Massachusetts and Harvard
Experts from Harvard Medical School and the T.H. Chan School of Public Health discussed the state of the COVID-19 pandemic Friday, along with challenges associated with preventing new infections from skyrocketing after easing lockdown restrictions.
Harvard Law Student Files Class Action Lawsuit Demanding Tuition Reimbursement
Harvard Law School student Abraham Barkhordar filed a class action lawsuit Monday against Harvard asking for partial reimbursement of tuition for the online spring semester.
Harvard Admins 'Disappointed' with Temporary Worker Visa Suspension
Harvard administrators are “disappointed” with the Executive Order signed Monday by President Donald J. Trump, per University Spokesperson Jonathan L. Swain.
HBS African American Student Union Pens Letter Calling on Corporate Leaders to Work Towards Racial Justice
Harvard Business School’s African American Student Union called on corporate leaders and executives to work towards racial justice within their organizations and in American society in an open letter published Friday.
Charleston to Serve as Harvard’s Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer
Sherri A. Charleston will serve as Harvard’s Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer beginning August 1, University President Lawrence S. Bacow announced Monday.
FBI Launches Investigation into Racist Email Sent to Thousands of Harvard Affiliates
Thousands of Harvard affiliates received a racist email to their Harvard University email accounts on Saturday and Sunday from an account identifying itself as Equity Prime Mortgage.
Graduate School of Education Begins Black Teacher Archives Project
The Black Teacher Archives, a research project archiving content about the history of African American education, was recently launched at the Graduate School of Education.
Harvard’s Postponed Board of Overseers Election Will Begin July 1, Conclude August 18
Harvard’s annual Board of Overseers and Harvard Alumni Association director elections will begin on July 1, according to University spokesperson Christopher M. Hennessy.
Hundreds of Harvard Law Students Criticize Plans for Online Fall Semester
Harvard Law School’s announcement that it will continue online instruction for the 2020 fall semester drew scores of criticism from students.
Business School Dean Nitin Nohria Announces New Anti-Racist Efforts After Criticism
Harvard Business School Dean Nitin Nohria announced the creation of an “enduring entity” to anchor anti-racist efforts at the school and committed to sharing a full anti-racist action plan by the start of the fall semester in an email to affiliates Monday.
Harvard Will Close to Observe Juneteenth Holiday, Bacow Writes
University President Lawrence S. Bacow announced Tuesday that Harvard will close to observe Juneteenth. All faculty and staff will receive a full day of paid time off.
Close to 2,000 Faculty, Staff Return to Work as Some Harvard Labs Resume Research Operations
Nearly 2,000 faculty and staff members have returned to scientific research laboratories at Harvard in the past week — the first large scale return to work since campus shut down in mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Harvard Announces 2020 Culture Lab Innovation Fund Winners
The Office for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging recently announced the winners of the 2020 Harvard Culture Lab Innovation Fund, a grant launched by the Office of the President and the University’s Office for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging last fall.
Bacow Urges Against Immigration Restrictions in Letter to Secretaries of State, Homeland Security
University President Lawrence S. Bacow urged the federal government to enact “forward-thinking immigration policies” in a June 2 letter to Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad F. Wolf.
Former Chemistry Chair Lieber Indicted by Federal Grand Jury for Making False Statements Regarding Relations to China
A federal grand jury indicted former Harvard chemistry chair Charles M. Lieber on two counts for making false statements to federal investigators who were examining funding he received from the Chinese government, the Department of Justice announced Tuesday.
Citing the Fall Term's 'Uncertainty,' Harvard Will Not Pursue Layoffs or Furloughs For Now
Harvard will not pursue layoffs or furloughs “at this time" because of “uncertainty” regarding the fall semester, Executive Vice President Katherine N. Lapp wrote in an email Tuesday to Harvard affiliates.
Embattled Harvard Police Department Chief Will Retire by Year’s End
Harvard police department chief Francis D. “Bud” Riley will step down from his post by the end of the calendar year, he announced in an emailed statement to the department Monday.
Harvard Coalition Pens Letter to President Bacow Calling for Racial Justice
The Harvard Coalition for Black Lives, a group spanning multiple schools and student organizations, penned a letter to University President Lawrence S. Bacow Friday asking the University to take a number of actions to promote racial justice.