Commentary

In-depth perspectives and critical analysis from faculty, editors, and readers on public affairs, higher education, and Harvard’s evolving mission.

Statue of a historical figure, against a colorful, stylized letter background.

Harvard Faculty Debate Plan to Cap A Grades

At a lively meeting, faculty members weighed a grade inflation plan that most agreed is imperfect.

by Lydialyle Gibson

Letters on social science, diversity, harpsichords, divestment, hemlocks,…more

Social science, diversity, harpsichords, divestment, hemlocks, and more

Detainees sleep in a holding cell at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection processing facility on Wednesday, June 18, 2014, in Brownsville, Texas. The CPB provided media tours that day of two locations in Brownsville and Nogales, Arizona, that have been central to processing the more than 47,000 unaccompanied children who have entered the country illegally since last October 1.

A Harvard human-rights expert on Central American child immigrants

A human-rights expert on Central American child immigrants

by Jacqueline Bhabha

Scenes of Harvard Yard on a mid-July morning

An undergraduate's summer at Harvard

Thoughts on a summer in Cambridge

by Francesca Annic...

Letters on humanities hubris, hoop humor, undergraduate prolixity and more

Humanities hubris, hoop humor, undergraduate prolixity

Drew Faust

President Drew Faust on making Harvard more inclusive and more safe

A letter from President Faust

Introducing Harvard Magazine’s guide to Cambridge, Boston, and beyond

A letter from the editor

As dean of Harvard College at the turn of the twentieth century, LeBaron Russell Briggs (a member of the College class of 1875) believed that the “unwritten and unspoken purpose” of the College was “not so much intellectual as moral; and her strongest hope is to stamp her graduates with an abiding character.”

Thoughts on the new honor code at Harvard

The College’s new honor code prompts historical—and student—reflections on moral education.

by Suzanne Smith

Big words and their use on campus

Big words and their use on campus

by Noah B. Pisner

President Drew Faust

Harvard president Drew Gilpin Faust on the value of basic research

A letter from President Faust

Harvard's fundraising details

A letter from the editor