Central Administration
30,000 Chairs: Planning Harvard’s Triple Commencement
On Thursday, thousands of students, family members, and friends inundated Harvard Yard for the Class of 2022’s Commencement. On Sunday, tens of thousands more will do the same in celebration of the Classes of 2020 and 2021. An occasion of this magnitude demanded careful preparation, administrators say.
‘I Had to Speak’: Harvard Affiliates Decry War in Ukraine Amid Disappointment in University Response
Harvard affiliates with close ties to Ukraine or Russia were determined to support Ukraine following the February invasion by Russia. But their drive to speak out against the invasion has been coupled with growing disappointment in Harvard, which some students say has fallen short of its promises to support affected affiliates.
Descendants and Advocates Seek Clarity in Harvard’s Legacy of Slavery Pledge
Harvard committed $100 million to reckoning with its ties to slavery, but advocates and descendants have questions about the unprecedented pledge.
Harvard Executive Vice President Katie Lapp To Step Down
Harvard University Executive Vice President Katherine N. Lapp will step down from her post this summer after more than a decade overseeing the University’s campus services, finances, and administration.
NLRB Rejects Petition Seeking to Decertify Harvard Security Guards’ Union, Prompting Appeal
The National Labor Relations Board denied a petition seeking to decertify the union representing around 300 contracted security workers at the University, 32BJ Service Employees International Union.
Harvard Pledges $100 Million to Redress Ties to Slavery
Harvard committed $100 million to redress its ties to slavery after a historic report released Tuesday found that slavery played an “integral” role in shaping the University.
Harvard Proposed a New Definition of Consent. Some Advocates Say its Wording is Flawed.
When Harvard released a set of proposed changes to its sexual harassment, non-discrimination, and anti-bullying policies two weeks ago, a new definition of consent was one of the key changes. While some student advocates welcomed the proposal as a step in the right direction, others have taken issue with its wording.
Bacow Defends Harvard's Response to Ukraine Crisis Amid Calls for Further Action
More than 50 days into the war in Ukraine, Harvard affiliates are still calling for more public action and concrete support from the University for those affected by the conflict.
IT Oversight Left Thousands of Harvard Internal Files Vulnerable — Again
Last fall, a massive security oversight allowed anyone with a Harvard key access tens of thousands of administrative files. Up until recently, a second data insecurity allowed Harvard affiliates to still view thousands of documents.
Protesters Stage Walkout of Event with Israeli Ambassador at Harvard Kennedy School
Chanting “end the occupation” and “apartheid has got to go,” Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine protesters disrupted an event with Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Michael Herzog, at the Harvard Kennedy School on Thursday.
As Comment Period Commences, Bacow Pledges to Weigh Feedback on Newly-Proposed Harassment Policies
Harvard President Lawrence S. Bacow on Friday pledged to listen to feedback on a set of proposed changes to University-wide harassment policies, adding that he hopes the procedures will be approved by the school’s top governing board.
Harvard Releases Drafts of First University-Wide Non-Discrimination, Anti-Bullying Policies
Harvard released a sweeping set of proposed changes to its bullying, discrimination, and sexual harassment policies on Thursday — including drafts of the first school-wide non-discrimination and anti-bullying policies.
Tracy Pun Palandjian ’93 to Join Harvard Corporation in July
Tracy Pun Palandjian ’93, an impact investing leader and former member of the Harvard Board of Overseers, will join the Harvard Corporation — the University’s highest governing body — in July, the University announced Monday.
Coalition for a Diverse Harvard Backs Six Board of Overseers Candidates
The Coalition for a Diverse Harvard — a network of Harvard affiliates dedicated to increasing diversity and promoting equity at the University — endorsed six candidates for this year’s Board of Overseers election and six candidates for the Harvard Alumni Association’s elected directorships on March 20.
Petrie-Flom Center Hosts Discussion About the Criminalization of Addiction
Harvard Law School’s Petrie-Flom Center hosted a virtual panel on the highly publicized court case Commonwealth v. Eldred on Thursday afternoon.