Dear Harvard College Students,

I hope your transition to remote coursework has been as successful as possible so far. I know that our current circumstances are not what any of us envisioned for the spring semester, and to say that I miss seeing all of you around campus would be an enormous understatement.

As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, I have been working alongside our partners from across the College, the University, and beyond to ensure that we are able to make the most informed decisions possible for the College community. As always, our primary concern is your health and well-being. To that end, the College has made the difficult decision to move all Harvard College 2020 summer programming to a remote format.

This news is disappointing for all of us. However, as we continue to adapt to the challenges of this pandemic, we are increasingly finding ways to remain connected and to continue to fulfill projects and achieve goals even though we are not on campus. We are working quickly to prepare for the impact of this change to summer programming, and we will do everything we can to support you in the internships, research, or courses that you undertake remotely. The FAS faculty have already approved select online Harvard Summer School courses for College credit whereas in the past only on-campus summer courses were offered for College credit.

Later today, the Office of Career Services, the Office of International Education, the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships, the Department of Athletics, the Philips Brooks House Center for Public Service and Engaged Scholarship, and the Institute of Politics will be reaching out to students who have signed up for their summer programs with an update about how today’s announcement will affect their programs and on next steps. The College will also post updated information about summer programs on the Harvard College COVID-19 FAQ page. If you have signed up for a program and you do not hear from that office directly, or if you have questions about a specific program or event, please reach out to the office hosting the program.

Thank you for all for your patience and flexibility as we navigate this difficult time together. While I never anticipated confronting a moment as challenging as this one, I am not at all surprised by the fortitude and patience you have shown during this unsettling time.

Warmly,

Dean Khurana
Danoff Dean of Harvard College