News
In the News: Harvard Leadership Subpoenaed by House Committee
U.S. House committee subpoenas Harvard University over antisemitism investigation for the first time in history.
This past Friday, a congressional committee investigating campus antisemitism took the unprecedented action of issuing multiple subpoenas to Harvard University six weeks after hearings into antisemitism on campus triggered the resignation of former President Claudine Gay. The subpoenas set a deadline of 5 P.M. on March 4th for Harvard officials to produce the series of […]
Data-Driven Dating
Harvard’s Datamatch uses mysterious Algorithm™ to foster community relationships.
’Twas the week before Valentine’s, when all through Harvard, singles were stirring, with hope in their hearts. Their survey answers were entered into Datamatch with care, in hopes that finding love soon would be there. The lonesome were nestled, all snug in their beds, while a computerized cupid “Algorithm™” toiled, several steps ahead. Harvard students […]
In The News
Short briefings of upcoming news developments on Harvard’s campus poised to make waves.
Since returning to campus, Harvard has made several strides in reversing its missteps from last fall, such as creating task forces to tackle both Islamophobia and Antisemitism on campus. However, the aftermath of the events of last semester, ranging from campus demonstrations to presidential resignations, continue to unfold with no clear resolution in sight. Moving […]
Stop and Smell the Roses
A profile on John Selletto’s Petali Flowers.
In the heart of Harvard Square, tucked away on Mount Auburn Street, sits Petali Flowers—a floral boutique that has been a community staple since its owner, John Selletto, opened the store in 1989. Walking into Petali feels like stepping into a different world. Surrounded by every color under the sun and the delicate fragrance of […]
Are We Ready for It?
What to expect from Harvard’s first-ever Taylor Swift course.
Whether you are in her top 0.5% of Spotify listeners or only listen to her music when forced to while shopping, it is safe to say that we have all had a run-in with Taylor Swift. But for people in Lowell Lecture Hall every Monday and Wednesday from 12:00-1:15 P.M., what was once their guilty […]
Why is Harvard So Single?
Many Harvard students have a lonely Valentine’s Day. Why is love so hard to find at Harvard?
“Lowest acceptance rate and lowest body counts” is how Sidechat, the anonymous social media app, characterizes the Ivy League. While it’s a bit rude, the quote isn’t entirely wrong. According to The Crimson, approximately twenty-five percent of respondents in the graduating Class of 2022 survey were single for all four of their college years, and […]
Forum
Point: Major Decisions Take Time
Waiting until sophomore fall to choose your concentration will change your life for the better.
“What’s your concentration?” is a question all of us have heard one too many times. Even freshmen are faced with the infamous question, despite having months before they need to make their decision. The expectation is clear—we all need to have a defined path from the moment we step on campus. With course registration opening […]
A Joyous Spring Break in Pakistan
My ode to Harvard Pakistan Trek and other political musings.
Pakistan’s ex-Prime Minister, Shahid Abbasi, turned towards me. “What’s your 9/11 theory?” I threw out my question to him from behind my cup of tea, perched in his living room post-dinner buffet at his home in Islamabad, Pakistan. The Al Jazeera journalist had left a short while ago. Her departure lent casualness and intimacy to […]
Lent Update!
Almost 40 days in review: the highlights of Lent 2024 and looking forward to Easter.
Prayer, fasting, almsgiving—the phrase Christians repeat over and over during the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter. In the Christian tradition, across denominations, Lent is a time of “solemnity and self-reflection,” as described by the United Kingdom’s Christian Enquiry Agency. Christians use this time to repent for their wrongdoings and turn towards a more […]
Point: The Case for Institutional Neutrality
Nurturing critical thinking and open dialogue in higher education.
The role of universities in shaping public discourse has been widely contested, especially in recent months. In the wake of rampant debate on issues such as the Israel–Hamas war and President Claudine Gay’s resignation from her post, universities have been criticized for both partisan and neutral responses. Some institutions have released formal statements on these […]
The Case for the Communal Bathroom
Why ensuite bathrooms should be phased out.
Picture this: It’s the end of July, 5 p.m., and you just received your dorm assignment. After the typical 30-minute stalk that leads you to your new roommate’s 5th-grade chorus concert video, you parcel through dorm facts to find out what kind of room and bathroom set-up you will have. A communal bathroom, though shared […]
Counterpoint: Ready for Registration?
Do yourself a favor by deciding on a concentration before sophomore fall.
I vividly remember my first time enrolling in college courses. It was the week before classes started—the week before my first semester of college—and I had no idea what I wanted to concentrate in. Dreams of Psychology, English, History, and Government all danced around in my head as I excitedly clicked through course reports and […]
Arts
IncARTcerated
A look into art created behind bars.
Behind bars, self-expression becomes a luxury. While making art can serve as a means of rehabilitation, allow for emotional release, and act as an empowering force for incarcerated individuals, the prison system all too often denies inmates the right to create. “Beyond Bars: Art from Inside”—an art show on the 10th floor of the Smith […]
Review: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
A novel experience held on the small stage at the Loeb Experimental Theater.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is now running at the Loeb Experimental Theater from Feb. 29 to March 8. With music and lyrics by William Finn and book by Rachel Sheinkin, Spelling Bee is a musical comedy about a group of six middle school students competing in, you guessed it, a spelling bee. […]
Allure Akaeze: Miss Pink Succubuss
As a multidisciplinary artist, Allure embodies counterculture and eroticism.
We are sitting near Quincy Grille. Allure Akaeze ’24 wears a raunchy cheetah-print bodysuit, colored neon pink and blue, with midriff and side cutouts. “I like showing skin, y’all,” they laugh. “It’s sexy. I like it. It makes me feel good about myself.” As a multidisciplinary artist, Allure embodies counterculture and eroticism. They are a […]
“The Most Competitive Battle for Yardfest Yet”
A spotlight on this year’s Battle for Yardfest winners.
Last Thursday, the Harvard College Events Board hosted the annual “Battle for Yardfest.” According to the Dean of Students Office website, Yardfest, a Harvard College tradition, is “a giant cookout and festival-style concert. The two winning student bands from Battle for Yardfest…are granted an amazing opportunity to open for the exciting professional headliner.” This year’s […]
Indy Sportsbook: The Oscars
Top picks for select categories in this Sunday’s awards ceremony.
Puerto Rico, Spain, Portugal, and the Caribbean. Be prepared to swipe past a sunset photo from each of these destinations on Instagram every day this week. But if you are sitting at home this Sunday night and need a good distraction from the constant reminders of your friends’ sunny vacations, look no further than the […]
A Walk Through the Fogg
Must-see masterpieces at the oldest of the Harvard Art Museums.
In an inconspicuous building on 32 Quincy Street lies the University’s hidden gem: the Harvard Art Museums. Simply walking into the building is an enchanting experience—the courtyard itself is a work of art. But walking through the museum is an enriching engagement with some of the most important artists and works of art history canon. […]
Sports
Sports Spotlight: Chisom Okpara
A profile on Harvard Men’s Basketball’s rising star.
Chisom “Chiz” Okpara ’26 began his athletic journey when his family moved back to the United States from the United Kingdom in 2010. Born with a passion for sports, his first love was soccer. His father, who recognized Okpara’s height and build, encouraged him to explore basketball as well. “My dad wanted me to play […]
Indy Sportsbook: Super Bowl Edition
A collection of the best bets for Super Bowl LVIII.
The Super Bowl, arguably the biggest sporting event of the year, champions a winner of a long and grueling NFL season. This year, we are coincidentally getting a repeat matchup of Super Bowl LIV, a game in which the Chiefs bested the 49ers with a final score of 31-20. This time, the 49ers are looking […]
Sports Spotlight: Tim Murphy
The end of a Harvard football dynasty.
After 30 years with Harvard football, Coach Tim Murphy will finally be stepping down as head coach. Murphy led the team to 10 Ivy League championships with only one losing season in this century. While it is easy to measure Murphy’s success through game statistics, it is difficult to quantify the lasting impact he will […]
Is Harvard Hockey Skating on Thin Ice?
A mid-season profile on the 2024 Men’s Harvard Hockey team.
Four months ago, in our Harvard hockey season preview, the Harvard Independent predicted that the lack of goal-scorers on the 2024 Men’s team would prove difficult in their upcoming season. Turns out we were right. A little over halfway into the season, Harvard is ranked 54th in the NCAA and 3rd out of the 6 […]
Indy Sportsbook: Betting on Beanpot
Betting big on Harvard’s Quest in the Men’s Beanpot.
In the realm of college hockey, the Men’s Beanpot isn’t just a tournament—it’s a high-stakes battleground where Northeastern University, Boston University (BU), Boston College (BC), and Harvard University vie for glory, and savvy bettors look for the edge that could turn the odds in their favor. This year, as the Beanpot fever takes over, Harvard […]
Indy Sportsbook: Year in Review Part 2
Recapping every pick from this column’s sophomore semester.
A large portion of Indy Sportsbook’s content has been dedicated to extolling the virtues of responsible sports gambling. It is a great way to bring even more excitement to the sports you love and can make you deeply invested in ones you never even thought about. We have greatly enjoyed all the highs and lows […]