Message from Dean Straker
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Next week, some of you will be moving to campus to begin your Harvard journey, and we are looking forward to welcoming you. I suspect that you are feeling a mixture of emotions including excitement, nervousness, anticipation, and overall fear of the unknown.
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These emotions are to be expected, and know that you are not alone! During your first year, you will be challenged in new and exciting ways. From learning how to share a room with a roommate, to adapting to the college workload, to navigating a new city, to finding your niche on campus. Your on-campus support network will be here to help you as you transition into the College.
Within your dorm, you will be part of a smaller community of students called an entryway. Proctors are graduate students or staff members who live in the dorms and lead your entryway in community building, support, and social activities throughout the year. Peer Advising Fellows or PAFs are upper-level students (living in the Houses) assigned to each entryway. They have lived through the first year themselves and can help provide a student perspective to your experience, as well as plan great events for you. Also living on campus are your Resident Deans, one assigned to each Yard, who oversee the academic, social, and extracurricular well-being of students.
As you spend the next week or two packing to come to campus, think about what other supports might be helpful for you. Who will you reach out to outside of campus when you need additional support? What items will you bring from home that will bring you comfort? How will you know when you need support? There are probably many more questions to reflect on as you prepare to move to campus, but know that we are here to help you figure it all out.
—Dean Straker
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Your student account statement is sent electronically to your student email address. Get details in this introduction to billing at Harvard.
“Meet Your Classmates!” is a section of the Yard Bulletin first-year newsletter where you can introduce yourself ( example). Send 1-2 paragraphs about yourself and a photo to yardnews@fas.harvard.edu if you would like to be included in a fall edition!
AlcoholEdu® is an interactive online program that uses the latest evidence-based prevention methods to help you make safer decisions related to alcohol and other drugs. Check your email from Wednesday, August 3, for a message from Vector LMS with your log-in credentials for this module.
This training equips you with information and tips on ways to support individual wellbeing, where to seek help when needed, and how to help a friend in need.
This module covers Harvard’s policies and resources and the prevention of sexual misconduct and harassment.
Pre-reading materials for Community Conversations have been added to your Canvas Orientation module and should be completed by Thursday, August 31.
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Check-in & Course Registration
Complete your fall check-in by next Monday, August 21. You must check in to be able to register for classes. You will be able to formally register for fall courses starting Monday, August 21, with registration for the fall semester closing on Thursday, August 31, at 11:59PM EDT.
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SMART Start Series
Harvard’s Academic Resource Center, in collaboration with Harvard’s Disability Access Office, will host the SMART Start series, starting this week.
In small and large group discussions and through a series of exercises, you will develop and hone vital executive functioning skills. You will:
- Learn time management strategies
- Address how to prioritize your work
- Develop focus and motivation
- Identify available resources
Neurodiverse students are encouraged to attend, but a formal diagnosis is not necessary to participate. You can opt into either the 10-11AM EDT or 3-4PM EDT series. Both series will include five virtual sessions, with an hour workshop each day. Daily attendance is required. To register, please email Sam Orsagh-Yentis, Academic Coach and Learning Specialist. Spots are limited and first-come, first-served.
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Humanities 10a (Hum 10)
As the Arts & Humanities Division’s introduction to the study of literary humanities, Humanities 10 offers a wide-ranging, year-long conversation about literature, art, and philosophy. It is also the only course outside of Expos to satisfy the Harvard College writing requirement when completed as a full-year sequence. Learn more from course faculty and staff at a virtual information session tomorrow, August 15, at 10:30AM EDT.
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Premed/Pre-Health Information Sessions
- Monday, August 14, at 2PM EDT, science faculty and premedical advisors will hold a virtual information session to discuss which courses meet premed requirements, as well as share helpful resources for students considering a medical career.
- Wednesday, August 16, at 1PM EDT, attend a Q&A, and meet the premedical and pre-health advisors and the Pre-Health Peer Advising Fellows (PAFs). Bring whatever questions you have about courses and being premed/pre-health at Harvard.
- Wednesday, August 23, at 7PM EDT, the Mignone Center for Career Success (MCS) will hold a Pre-Health Question Center where you can meet with the Pre-Health PAFs to ask how to use MCS premed/pre-health resources, raise any course questions, and discover how these PAFs have built their time at Harvard.
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African and African American Studies (AAAS) Q&A
The AAAS Department will host an informational session on Thursday, August 17, at 2PM EDT. These AAAS advisors will be present to answer questions: Dr. Bojana Coulibaly, African Language Program Manager; Dr. Carla D. Martin, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies; and Keirsten Melbourne, Graduate and Undergraduate Coordinator.
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First-Year Seminars
The First-Year Seminar Program application is currently open. Explore the fall seminar offerings, and apply by Friday, August 25, at 11AM EDT.
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Music Theory Placement Exam
The Music Theory placement exam is recommended for all students who plan to study music. Register for the placement exam, which will be offered in-person prior to the beginning of the Fall 2023 semester. For more information, visit the Department of Music website, or contact instructor Liam Hynes-Tawa.
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Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
The College aims to create and sustain an inclusive culture where students can thrive. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Office staff are advocates, partners, and educators who promote community-building across the College. Under the EDI umbrella are the Office of BGLTQ Student Life, the Harvard College Women’s Center, and the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations.
Office of BGLTQ Student Life
The Office of BGLTQ Student Life, also known as the “QuOffice,” or BGLTQ Office, strives to create a community where BGLTQ students can thrive and where all students are well-equipped to engage knowledgeably and compassionately when discussing gender and sexuality. Sign up for their email list to stay updated on events featuring queer and trans speakers, activists, and scholars and opportunities to connect with one another through affinity spaces, study breaks, and other programming.
Harvard College Women’s Center
The mission of the Harvard College Women’s Center (HCWC) is to promote gender equity by raising awareness of women’s and gender issues, developing women’s leadership, and celebrating women who challenge, motivate, and inspire. The Women's Center is for everybody, and you will be welcome at their space located in the basement of Canaday Hall! Stay in the know of all HCWC happenings by checking out the new website, signing up for the newsletter, and following the Women's Center on Facebook, X, and Instagram!
Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations
The Harvard Foundation has a 40+ year legacy at Harvard College, seeking to "improve relations among racial and ethnic groups within the University and to enhance the quality of our common life." Sign up for their newsletter, and follow them on Instagram to stay up to date with programs such as Cultural Rhythms, the First-Year Retreat Experience (FYRE), the Student Advisory Committee, the Harvard Foundation Student Leadership Awards, as well as an internship program that promotes diversity education and culturally affirming programming.
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CrimsonZip and Movement Challenge
This fall, a new Harvard-specific mobile application called CrimsonZip will be available for you to use! CrimsonZip is designed to cultivate fun, exciting, and new opportunities to be physically active.
During orientation, the CrimsonZip team will be hosting a Movement Challenge! Pick up the Movement Challenge punch card at a wellness event during orientation, attend four wellness events to collect the stickers, and redeem them for a limited-edition swag bag (while supplies last)! More info about events and how to redeem your prize will be provided during orientation.
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Crimson Cash
You can now can manage your Crimson Cash account through Transact eAccounts by logging in with your Harvard Key. The Transact eAccounts mobile app can be used to add funds or check your balance and is available on iOS and Android. For assistance, contact crimson_cash@harvard.edu or call (617) 496-6600.
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What are some questions you might ask your roommates before arriving on campus? What would you like them to know about you?
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