The Semester Begins

Freshman convocation, Morning Prayers, and pending news on the University's agenda as the academic year begins

The University’s pace accelerates from summer’s relative somnolence to full-bore fall activity as students and faculty members return to Cambridge and Boston for the new academic year. Among highlights scheduled early in the fall semester are:

Among the possible events, or those not yet formally scheduled, are:

During the term, look for news on:

  • the release of the University’s findings in response to its administering of the Association of American Universities’ sexual-assault survey;
  • further developments in the University’s reformulation of employee health-benefit programs—a subject surrounded by much controversy last year—with changes, if any, to be disclosed before the annual open-enrollment period begins in November; and
  • continuing contract negotiations with the Harvard Union of Clerical and Technical Workers, whose members engage in essential work across the University.

On the construction front:

The wildest of wild cards (subject to events presumably far beyond University control) would be a visit to campus by Xi Jinping, the powerful president of the People’s Republic of China—an appearance that could overshadow other fall programs. President Faust met with him when she was in Beijing on University business last March, and extended a standing invitation then. President Xi is scheduled to be in the United States during September, with a busy itinerary including a state visit at the White House with President Barack Obama and events in New York for the anniversary of the United Nations. (Beyond Faust’s formal invitation, of course, President Xi has a sentimental attachment to Harvard College, as a parent of a recent undergraduate.) Stay tuned…

Finally, the home football campaign begins at the Stadium, under the lights, September 26 at 7 p.m., against Brown.

 

Read more articles by John S. Rosenberg

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