College Life
Harvard College Disciplinary Actions Reach Six-Year Low
Disciplinary actions taken against undergraduates dropped to a six-year low during the 2020-2021 academic year, according to Administrative Board data updated last summer.
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.
Visual Story: Looking Back on the Fall Semester, In Animations
Here’s a look back — in animation form — at what the fall had in store at the University.
Students Delay Getting Covid-19 Booster Shots, Citing Inconvenience and Finals
Some Harvard students said they are holding out to get a Covid-19 booster shot until the conclusion of the fall semester, though public health experts recommend people get the shot as soon as possible.
‘Exceeded My Expectations’: Student Performers Laud Return to In-Person Programming
After more than a year of adapting to virtual programming, Harvard’s vibrant performing arts groups have roared back to life. Though they have faced challenges adhering to Covid-19 restrictions, artists said the ability to come together in person again is well-worth it.
FAS Committee Recommends Scrapping Shopping Week in Favor of Previous-Term Registration
A Faculty of Arts and Sciences committee released a proposal recommending the College replace its current “shopping week” course registration system with a system of previous-term registration.
UC Elects Secretary and Treasurer, Endorses Audit to Address ‘Financial Mismanagement’
The Harvard Undergraduate Council elected a new secretary and treasurer and passed legislation to endorse an independent audit of its own finances in an emergency meeting over Zoom Wednesday evening.
No Pants? Snow Problem. Primal Scream Makes a Hollering Comeback
Baring it all in the season’s first snowfall, hundreds of Harvard students gathered outside Wednesday night in jackets, underwear, and little else to resume the boisterous tradition of streaking around Harvard Yard the midnight before finals.
‘A Slow Rebuild’: Undergraduates Reflect on In-Person Semester
After his freshman year was truncated by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Roderick P. “Roddy” Emley ’23-’24 said he is slowly adjusting to life back on campus.
Students from Southern Africa Cancel Winter Travel Plans Due to Omicron Travel Ban
After the United States banned travel from several countries in southern Africa due to the emergence of a new coronavirus variant, Harvard undergraduates from the region lamented that they will not return home over winter recess for fear of not being able to return to campus.
‘Functionally Food Insecurity’: Harvard Students’ Decades-Long Push For Hot Kosher Lunch
Roughly 40 undergrads keep kosher, following strict dietary restrictions according to Jewish law, but just one dining hall covered by Harvard’s undergraduate meal plan, Harvard Hillel, is kosher, and it is only open for dinner.
Acrimony and Inefficiency Mar Inaugural UC Meeting Under Cheng and de Kanter
Michael Y. Cheng ’22 and Emmett E. de Kanter ’24 were inaugurated as president and vice president of the Undergraduate Council Sunday during an acrimonious meeting that was derailed by accusations of bullying and intimidation leveled at the new president.
DSO Planning Spring Reopening for House Grilles, Junior Parent Weekend
Administrators at the Dean of Students Office discussed plans to reopen House grilles and host Junior Parents Weekend in the spring semester in an interview last month.
Aknazar ‘Adam’ Kazhymurat ’23 Remembered as ‘Brilliant,’ ‘Kind,’ and ‘Curious’
Kazhymurat died earlier this month while on leave from Harvard in Kazakhstan. Friends and mentors of Kazhymurat remembered him as a brilliant and kindhearted individual with a passion for his studies.
Phi Beta Kappa Inducts Class of 2022 ‘Senior 48’
Forty-eight seniors learned Monday that they had been inducted into the Harvard chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society, joining the “Junior 24” selected in the spring.
Starbucks Closing
A longtime staple of Harvard Square, Starbucks closed Sunday. The Harvard Shop, which is affiliated with Harvard Student Agencies, will move into the space in 2022.
Two Canadian Harvard Seniors Tapped for Rhodes Scholarship, Joining Four Americans
Two Canadian Harvard seniors were awarded the Rhodes Scholarship, the Canadian secretary of the Rhodes Trust announced Sunday, joining the four Harvard seniors announced as American Rhodes Scholars the day before.
‘A Silver Lining’: Harvard Student Voter Turnout Increases During Covid-19
Nearly 71 percent of Harvard University students eligible to vote cast ballots in the 2020 election, jumping roughly 9 percentage points from the previous presidential election cycle, according to data released last week by the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement.
UC Doubles Wintersession Grants and Funds ‘Crimson Takes Cambridge’ Program
The Undergraduate Council passed legislation to expand the Wintersession program and to fund a new program that will allow students to explore local restaurants at a discounted rate during its Sunday meeting.
Khurana Urges Student Vigilance Following Local Crimes, Ahead of Covid-Era Holiday Travel
Dean of the College Rakesh Khurana urged undergraduates in a Friday interview to remain vigilant after a recent spate of local crimes and as many students prepare to travel for Thanksgiving amid the pandemic.
Classroom to Table Returns With Coffee Break Edition
Classroom to Table, the popular College program that brings faculty and students together to share food and company, is back for the first time since the pandemic’s onset — albeit through a modified format.
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.
Students Celebrate Upcoming Harvard-Yale Game at CEB Spirit Week
In anticipation of the 137th Harvard-Yale football game this upcoming Saturday, the College Events Board hosted a week of spirit events featuring plate smashing, Yale-bashing stand-up comedy, and musical performances.
‘I Missed It So Much’: Adams Dining Hall Reopens, Though Some Fruit Flies Remain
The Adams House dining hall reopened Friday after shutting down for two weeks due to an infestation of fruit flies.
Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa Talks Disinformation, Democracy at IOP Salant Lecture
Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria A. Ressa discussed her time as an award-winning political journalist in the Philippines at the Institute of Politics’ annual Salant Lecture on the Freedom of the Press Tuesday.