Dear Faculty, Researcher, and Staff Colleagues,
As we prepare for the start of the spring semester, I want to share progress on a number of fronts, and express my sincere gratitude to all those lending their expertise and insights to help us move forward.
These are deeply unsettled times. Earlier this month, I wrote to acknowledge the immense impact of recent events on our FAS community. Much is unknown about what may come in the weeks and months ahead, but one thing is certain: As a community, we step up, we advance. And no matter our discipline, our particular role, or how long we’ve been here, we apply the high standards and hard work that are the hallmark of FAS. I couldn’t be more thankful for all those who are rolling up their sleeves to make sure we meet this moment in a way that is worthy of Harvard.
Below, I describe efforts now underway, knowing that these challenges can only be solved by taking them on together and being willing to iterate until we get them right.
Strengthening discourse on campus
A key FAS priority is to build an inclusive academic environment that fosters critical thinking, empathy, and mutual understanding. To that end, I appointed Eric Beerbohm, Professor of Government and Director of the Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Ethics, as my senior advisor on civil discourse in the fall. With his leadership, we are now launching initiatives designed to advance constructive dialogue across the FAS as part of the University-wide “Harvard Dialogues” that begins this Thursday. These efforts benefit from partnership and coordination with Harvard College’s Intellectual Vitality Initiative.
The following events are open to the entire Harvard community:
PEN America Keynote Panel: Combatting Censorship, Disinformation, and Hate
Sponsored by the Harvard College Intellectual Vitality Initiative
Thursday, January 18
6:30-8:00pm
Smith Campus Center, Harvard Commons
Open to the public
Hard Questions: Ethics in the Age of AI with Michael Sandel
Sponsored by the FAS Civil Discourse Initiative
Wednesday, January 24
5:00-6:15pm
Sanders Theatre, Memorial Hall
Open to all HUID holders (IDs will be checked)
Following the event, undergraduates are invited to continue the conversation over dinner in Annenberg and House dining halls in a dialogue led by Edmond & Lily Safra Center Fellows in Values Engagement.
In addition to the events listed above, SEAS is sponsoring faculty panels on three scientific topics—generative artificial intelligence, bionic technologies, and solar geoengineering— designed to promote and model full, vigorous, and civil discourse on critical and complicated issues. You can find more information about all of these events on the FAS Civil Discourse Initiative webpage. This week is only the beginning of our work on civil discourse; you can expect more information in the coming weeks about additional events this spring.
Understanding our policies and procedures
Throughout the fall, members of our community have asked for better clarity on how many of our policies and procedures work in practice. Yesterday, Nina Zipser, Dean for Faculty Affairs, held a pilot training for faculty on best practices for managing disruptions in the classroom. This was an opportunity to explore how current policies apply to the classroom and to share best practices and resources currently available to instructors. With the benefit of this discussion, information is now being assembled for distribution to all instructors. This training is the first of a number of planned efforts to make sure that faculty’s questions about our current policies and their implementation are answered promptly and fully.
Safety and security
A number of resources were launched in the fall to support students, and the community as a whole, with online safety and other security concerns. These efforts continue this spring. The Harvard University Police Department also continues to closely monitor and assess campus security, and you can reach HUPD at any time at 617-495-1212.
In his message on Monday, President Garber reinforced the importance of “bridging the fissures that have weakened our sense of community.” In FAS, we know that community is not something to be taken for granted. Make it a priority to check in with each other, with colleagues in your lab or your office, and ask how they’re doing. Harvard’s people are what make it great, and even great people need to know they have support. Thank you for everything you are all doing to contribute to the vibrancy of our academic community as we navigate the complexity of this moment.
Sincerely,
Hopi
Hopi Hoekstra
Edgerley Family Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences
C. Y. Chan Professor of Arts and Sciences
Xiaomeng Tong and Yu Chen Professor of Life Sciences