Harvard in News on 2/4/2025

 

 

 

‘A Taste of Home’: Harvard Students Celebrate Lunar New Year on Campus

Harvard students celebrated Lunar New Year with festivities across campus, including a major event in Kirkland House. Co-hosted by various student cultural groups, the celebration featured traditional foods, crafts, and red envelopes. Organizers aimed to create a home-like atmosphere for students away from family, emphasizing the importance of food and cultural connection. Attendees from diverse backgrounds joined in, appreciating the opportunity for cultural exchange. Many expressed gratitude for the inclusive celebration, with students saying it provided a sense of belonging and recognition of their heritage.

Cerena Wu ’25, who organized the event, said she wanted to make it “food-focused” to emulate the Lunar New Year meals she shared with her family, who own a Chinese restaurant, back home.

Attendee Luna Y. Yin ’28 said it was “really good to get a taste of home” at the celebration.

 

Bill Gates Talks AI, Journey to Microsoft at Sanders Event

Bill Gates spoke at Harvard’s Sanders Theatre about his early days at Microsoft and the future of AI, coinciding with the launch of his memoir Source Code: My Beginnings. He reflected on dropping out of Harvard, the risks of running a company, and his long-standing ties to the university through donations and visits. Comparing AI’s rise to the personal computing revolution, Gates emphasized its potential to provide “free intelligence” for tasks like medical diagnoses and drug design, predicting AI will surpass human intelligence within years.

 

Mayor Wu Agrees to Testify Before Congress on Boston’s Status as Sanctuary City

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu  ’07 will testify before Congress about the city's sanctuary status, joining mayors from New York, Denver, and Chicago. Requested to appear just two weeks after giving birth, Wu sought extra time to prepare. The hearing follows the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, though Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey maintains the state is not a sanctuary state. Wu reaffirmed Boston’s commitment to protecting immigrants under the Boston Trust Act. Despite her recent childbirth, Wu remains active in her role, emphasizing her duty to serve residents.

 

The Harvard Youth Poll Overestimated Support for Harris. What Caused the Gap?

The Harvard Institute of Politics Youth Poll overestimated Kamala Harris’ support among likely voters under 30 by 17 points in the 2024 election, continuing a trend of overestimating Democratic candidates. Exit polls showed Harris winning young voters by 11 points, far lower than the Harvard poll’s 28-point margin. Analysts attribute the discrepancy to late shifts in voter sentiment, underestimation of Trump’s outreach to young voters, and challenges in youth polling, including difficulty tracking new or disengaged voters. Despite past inaccuracies, Harvard’s polling project remains committed to refining its methodology.

 

Harvard’s President Used To Chair Faculty Meetings. Is It Time for Garber To Return?

By William C. Mao and Veronica H. Paulus

Since Harvard presidents stopped chairing Faculty of Arts and Sciences meetings in 2023, faculty members have expressed concerns about reduced direct communication with the administration. Some believe this change has distanced President Alan M. Garber from faculty concerns, especially amid governance challenges and political pressures. While some professors argue that Garber remains well-informed through other channels, others see his absence as a loss of faculty representation. The introduction of a faculty advisory council is seen as a positive step, but many still advocate for the president’s regular participation in faculty meetings.

 

City Council Approves Surveillance Technologies Despite Resident Pushback

The Cambridge City Council approved two police surveillance technologies despite strong resident opposition but delayed voting on police drones. The approved technologies include Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) units, which store data for 30 days without real-time monitoring, and a "GrayKey" device for unlocking phones with proper authorization. Residents voiced concerns about privacy and potential federal data-sharing, particularly regarding immigration enforcement. While police argue the tools will aid investigations, critics fear increased surveillance won’t address crime and represents further police militarization. The council referred the drone discussion to its Public Safety Committee.

 

Columns: To Harvard Students Who Have Never Met a Conservative

By Harvey C. Mansfield. Harvey C. Mansfield ’53 is the Kenan Research Professor of Government at Harvard.

Harvey C. Mansfield argues that Harvard’s political landscape lacks true ideological diversity, particularly conservative voices. He contrasts Democratic and Republican values, framing Democrats as prioritizing equality and inclusiveness, often through government intervention, while Republicans emphasize individual achievement and admiration for success. Mansfield contends that Democrats focus on compassion for the marginalized, while Republicans value those who contribute more to society. He encourages Harvard students to challenge their perspectives and engage with conservative ideas. This article is the first in a series exploring these themes.

 

Columns: Harvard Needs a Multiracial Student Organization

Scarlett E. Eldaief argues that Harvard lacks adequate support for multiracial students, highlighting the absence of a dedicated affinity organization. She notes that existing cultural groups, while open to all, can feel intimidating for multiracial students who may not fully relate to a single racial identity. Eldaief shares her own experiences of feeling disconnected and cites research linking multiracial identity to mental health struggles. She calls for reviving a multiracial student organization to foster support, dialogue, and community at Harvard, emphasizing its necessity alongside broader institutional efforts.

 

Grand Kyiv Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’ Review: Ukrainian Dancers Take Center Stage

Anastasia Poliakova praises the Grand Kyiv Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker at the Emerson Colonial Theatre for its technical mastery and artistry. Despite a small cast and initial stage adjustments, the production dazzled, particularly in the snow scene and second act. Highlights included a Ukrainian dance choreographed to Tchaikovsky’s Trepak and a stunning pas de deux by soloists Anna Stoianova and Daniel Kish. The hand-painted backdrops and intricate costumes enhanced the fairy tale atmosphere. While less grand than larger productions, the intimate scale allowed the dancers’ skills to shine, making for a magical holiday experience.