A Sensitive Census

The revelation last autumn that the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) had made offers of tenured professorships to only four women during...

The revelation last autumn that the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) had made offers of tenured professorships to only four women during academic year 2003-2004—fewer than in any year save one during the preceding decade—set off the debate about the composition of the faculty that rocked Harvard for much of the past winter and spring (see “Tenure and Gender,” January-February, page 64, and coverage in subsequent issues). How has FAS fared since? It is too early to calculate the yield—the percentage of acceptances—for offers extended during the academic year ended June 30, but the number of offers extended to women at both the tenured and junior-faculty levels did increase, as shown in these data from FAS’s faculty-development office.

Tenured faculty offers 2004-2005 Total 33, women 9, 28% women 2003-2004 Total 32, women 4, 12% women   Non-tenured faculty offers 2004-2005 Total 66, women 25, 38% women 2003-2004 Total 51, women 18, 35% women

Most popular

In 1954, Gregory Corso moved into Eliot House. How he stayed there is a literary legend.

The Harvard graduate’s roundtable talk show touches on hot button issues from religion to sex. 

A College student’s attempt to recapture the romanticism of the workplace.

Explore More From Current Issue

Two laboratory researchers, one seated and one standing, in a scientific lab with equipment.

The stakes are high for this husband and wife: one of them will die if they don’t find a cure.

A woman with long, wavy hair wearing a white suit, seated in a bright, modern room.

The Harvard graduate’s roundtable talk show touches on hot button issues from religion to sex. 

A football player in a white jersey evades a defender in a green uniform on the field.

Despite personnel losses, Crimson captain Xaviah Bascon is upbeat about the 2026 season.