# Office of Culture & Community ## Office of Culture & Community Harvard College remains committed to cultivating a community where all of its members can thrive. The role of the DSO in ensuring that students feel welcome and engaged in meaningful ways is as important as ever. We look forward to broadening this mission-critical work with renewed energy. ![Students and staff high-five each other during the UN Commission on the Status of Women.](/sites/g/files/omnuum7076/files/styles/hwp_21_9__1920x825/public/2025-07/HCWC-UN_031725_0118%20Large.jpeg?itok=irWwlB9-) ### University Commitment Statement Harvard has long served as an institution where individuals from around the world can come together to join a community and drive meaningful change. Over the centuries, we have continued to expand our reach and impact. That expansion has helped us welcome students, faculty, staff, and academics from all corners of society and the globe. Exposure to and learning from different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences leads to intellectual and personal growth, and the betterment of the University. We encourage the best to learn alongside one another, as they learn from one another. Everyone benefits when all are welcomed, supported, and included. We embrace our community values: We respect the rights, differences, and dignity of others; demonstrate integrity in all of our dealings; pursue excellence conscientiously in our work; hold ourselves accountable for our actions and conduct in the community; and cultivate bonds and bridges that enable all to grow with and learn from one another. ![University Hall in the summer from the front view with the American flag above.](/sites/g/files/omnuum7076/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-07/UniversityHall_HarvardCollege.png?itok=eEXG-1e8) [### Meaning-Making at Harvard College ](/office-culture-community/about-culture-community/religion-ethics-spirituality-meaning-making-harvard-college)Harvard College recognizes that religion, spiritual practice, and meaning-making are an important part of wellness, learning, and growth. Our goal is to help each individual student live a life of meaning and purpose, and to prepare students to lead in multi-religious societies around the globe, critically analyze religious traditions while practicing them, and modeling respect and dialogue with practicing and non-practicing community members. ![Students read a passage prior to passover seder at the Dean of Students' residence.](/sites/g/files/omnuum7076/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-07/52%20-%20Seder%20at%20Dean%20Dunne%27s%20House%20-%20April%2013%2C%202025-%20Dylan%20Goodman%20Photgraphy.jpg?itok=g69bDkcb) [### Military Affiliates ](/office-culture-community/about-harvard-foundation/supporting-student-growth/military-affiliates)For centuries, Harvard students have served our country. Veteran undergraduates from all countries, ROTC cadets and midshipmen, and other military-affiliated students at the College make up an important part of our community. ![Student laughing on stage at the Joint RPTC Commissioning ceremony for the Class of 2025.](/sites/g/files/omnuum7076/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-07/2025JointROTCCommissioning_052825_0007%20Large.jpeg?itok=ki7Ez131) [### First-Generation, Low-Income ](https://dso.college.harvard.edu/office-culture-community/first-generation-low-income)This program embodies the College’s commitment to its students who are the first in their families to attend college and/or come from under-resourced or low-income families and communities, connecting our current FGLI students to resources and empowering them to thrive at Harvard College. This team fosters supportive social networks for FGLI students and collaborates with other undergrads who are interested in promoting access to higher education more broadly. ![Students pose with a bouquet of flowers at the flower truck in front of Boylston Hall as part of first-gen, low income visibility week](/sites/g/files/omnuum7076/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-07/IMG_6416%20Large.jpeg?h=a198bd9d&itok=5QBK6cTD) [### Harvard Foundation ](https://dso.college.harvard.edu/office-culture-community/harvard-foundation)The Harvard Foundation serves the entire Harvard College by cultivating a community where each person is treated with equal dignity and respect. The Foundation does this by overseeing programs and initiatives that uplift the individual lived experiences of community members while encouraging connections across various perspectives, values, and personal journeys. ![6 students in front of Harvard Foundation banner.](/sites/g/files/omnuum7076/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-09/DSCF6903.JPG?h=cc2ce48e&itok=b26AmzWR) ### Mattering Initiative Mattering consists of two fundamental experiences: feeling valued by self and others, and adding value to self and others. When students feel that they matter, they deepen connections, have a sense of meaning and purpose, and are less likely to experience loneliness, anxiety, and depression. We hope that integrating the mattering framework into our community at Harvard College can promote well-being and strengthen our community. [ Learn more about the mattering initiative arrow\_circle\_right ](https://dso.college.harvard.edu/dso-special-project-initiatives-mattering-initiative) ![John Harvard Statue, Hand holding postcard of statue.](/sites/g/files/omnuum7076/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-09/IMG_7125_0.jpg?itok=o2GSWAU5) ## Contact Our Office #### Any student looking to build community and contribute to our larger Harvard culture can contact to us at .