I would like to say a word about the recent articles in the Chronicle of Higher Education concerning sexual harassment at Harvard. This has been a difficult moment for this community and I want to start by acknowledging the real sense of hurt, disappointment and upset that has been expressed about the situation and about…
Harvard’s Climate Change Efforts
Dear Members of the Harvard Community, A year ago, I announced that we had achieved our goal of reducing the University’s greenhouse gas emissions 30 percent from 2006 levels, inclusive of growth. A common purpose brought our community together in exciting new ways that enabled us to meet our ambitious goal. Since that time, however,…
Martin Luther King Day
Martin Luther King Day is an opportunity for us all to reaffirm the values of justice and equality that define our nation and animate all we do at Harvard. As we strive to be an ever more diverse and inclusive community, we recognize that our excellence derives from our openness to the widest possible pool…
Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault
Dear Members of the Harvard Community, Sexual harassment and sexual assault degrade human dignity, and they have no place at Harvard. The powerful forces of presumption and hierarchy shape our lives and our communities in profound ways. Over the past few months, this reality has been underscored by revelation after revelation of sexual misconduct by individuals…
Unrecognized Single-Gender Social Organizations
Effective June 29, 2020 The policy on Unrecognized Single-Gender Social Organizations is no longer being enforced. Read the announcement from Harvard University President Lawrence S. Bacow. Dear Members of the Harvard Community, Please see below for a statement on unrecognized single-gender social organizations delivered at this afternoon’s meeting of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Sincerely,…
A Message from the President: Dean Lizabeth Cohen
A Message from the President: Dean Lizabeth Cohen Dear Members of the Radcliffe Community, Dean Lizabeth A. Cohen announced earlier today that she has decided to step down as dean of the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at the end of this academic year after seven years of outstanding leadership of the Institute. Under Liz’s…
A Message from the President: Dean James E. Ryan
Dear Members of the Harvard Graduate School of Education Community, The University of Virginia (UVA) announced earlier today that James E. Ryan, dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Education, will become UVA’s next president as of October 1, 2018. An alumnus of UVA’s law school, Jim previously served as Matheson and Morgenthau Distinguished Professor of Law…
Message to the community on the Repeal of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program
Dear Members of the Harvard Community, Today’s announcement of the elimination, in six months, of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program represents a course of action that challenges some of the most foundational values of our nation and American higher education. This cruel policy recognizes neither justice nor mercy. In the months to…
Letter to President Trump regarding DACA
Dear Mr. President: I write to express my deep concern about reports that the Administration is considering whether to eliminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and to urge you to continue it as it currently exists. I also urge your Administration to vigorously defend DACA in the federal courts should its validity…
Statement on events in Charlottesville
“The recent events in Charlottesville have been deeply distressing. The abhorrent hatred, racism, and violence carried out by neo-Nazi, KKK, and other white supremacist groups deserve our strongest condemnation. Such actions are anathema to the values of our society and to the principles of our university community. Our deepest sympathies and condolences are with all…