Dear Members of the Harvard Community, Worldwide scientific consensus has clearly established that climate change poses a serious threat to our future—and increasingly to our present. Universities like ours have produced much of the research supporting that consensus, as well as many of the emerging ideas helping us to begin confronting that challenge. Yet we…
Announcement of Presidential Task Force
Dear Members of the Harvard Community, A University community must foster the respect and civility that nurture exploration, learning, and discovery. Sexual assault is an affront to the personal well-being and dignity that rest at the heart of what Harvard seeks to be. In its threat to safety, sexual assault not only damages individuals but…
Statement on the Report of the Electronic Communications Policy Task Force
In March 2013, I convened a University-wide task force to develop recommendations for “policies regarding access to, and confidentiality of, electronic communications that rely on university information systems.” After nearly a year of deliberation and consultation, the Electronic Communications Policy Task Force, led by David Barron, the Honorable S. William Green Professor of Public Law…
Statement on ASA Resolution
Academic boycotts subvert the academic freedoms and values necessary to the free flow of ideas, which is the lifeblood of the worldwide community of scholars. The recent resolution of the ASA proposing to boycott Israeli universities represents a direct threat to these ideals, ideals which universities and scholarly associations should be dedicated to defend. Cambridge,…
Allston Update
Allston is a crucial part of our efforts to create a campus for Harvard’s next century. We have made important progress with the recent approval of the Institutional Master Plan, the opening of Tata Hall, and last week’s groundbreaking at Barry’s Corner, and I write now to update you on plans to articulate our ambitions…
Statement on the passing of Nelson Mandela
Members of our community join the world in mourning the passing of Nelson Mandela. His example will forever epitomize leadership, conscience and courage in the quest for equality and justice. Harvard was privileged to welcome and honor him during a historic special convocation in 1998. Those present will never forget being touched by this singular…
On the Passing of Seamus Heaney
We are fortunate and proud to have counted Seamus Heaney as a revered member of the Harvard family. For us, as for people around the world, he epitomized the poet as a wellspring of humane insight and artful imagination, subtle wisdom and shining grace. We will remember him with deep affection and admiration. And the…
Drew Faust on Gettysburg Address, higher education
https://www.politico.com/story/2013/11/harvard-president-drew-faust-sequester-100087 Cambridge, Mass….
150 years after the Gettysburg Address, is government by the people in trouble?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/150-years-after-the-gettysburg-address-is-government-by-the-people-in-trouble/2013/11/15/b37841f0-4bdf-11e3-be6b-d3d28122e6d4_story.html Cambridge, Mass….
Letter from President Faust to Allston Neighbors
Dear Neighbor, For the past four years, members of the Harvard community have worked both internally—with faculty, students, and staff—and externally—with community members, elected officials, developers, and city planning and development staff—to craft and hone an updated vision for Harvard’s next steps in Allston. I am pleased to report that we have together accomplished a…