Dear Members of the Class of 2024,

This is it — the moment you, your family, and all of us have been waiting for — the beginning of your journey as a Harvard college student. We recognize that this is not how you anticipated starting College, and we wish that circumstances were different. Nevertheless, we are delighted to welcome you to Harvard.

As you navigate these next few weeks, you will have many new experiences, whether you are on campus or away from campus. The transition to college can be exciting but also stressful, and it is important to take good care of yourself as you get acclimated to the rhythms and challenges of Harvard. If you are worried about something, or if you have questions about the College or your experiences, we encourage you to reach out to your proctor, Resident Dean, academic adviser, professors, or peer advising fellow. We are all here to support you, and we hope that you will all support each other.
 
This is going to be an unprecedented academic semester for Harvard, but I want to encourage you to approach the coming weeks with hope. Despite what we continue to face, we’ve been forced to slow down, shift our worldview, and change our ways of living. Yours is a trailblazing class. You’ve had to deal with more firsts and challenges than any other generation in recent memory. You’ve demonstrated creativity, resilience, and a willingness to advance the public good that has inspired all of us. Now we must ask more of you. If we are able to adapt and meet the challenges of this moment, we will be able to create a path for bringing our campus back together. 
 
Over these difficult months, I have been proud to see our community work in service to others, encouraged by our commitment to inclusion, and inspired by the many ways that our students demonstrate Harvard College’s community values. As you join this community, I want to share these values with you:

• Respect for the rights, differences, and dignity of others. 
• Honesty and integrity in all dealings. 
• Conscientious pursuit of excellence in our work. 
• Accountability for actions and conduct in the community. 
• Responsibility for the bonds and bridges that enable all to grow with and learn from one another. 

It is with these values in mind that I want to emphasize what each one of us can do to support each other and the communities where we find ourselves living this fall. In these unprecedented times, I hope you will embrace the idea that Harvard exists everywhere that you are, stretching across the geographic distances that may separate us. Those of you on campus have been asked to commit to the Residential Community Compact and the shared responsibilities it outlines. Whether you are living on campus or elsewhere, I hope you will take seriously the values that animate our learning and standards of student conduct that are outlined in the Handbook for Students. The standards of conduct in our Harvard Community apply to all enrolled students.
 
Wherever you are living, we ask that you pay attention to the public health guidelines and be a responsible member of your community by wearing face coverings, maintaining appropriate physical distancing, and avoiding gatherings where the virus may spread. There are many health and wellness resources available to you, including Harvard University Health Services (HUHS) for remote or onsite services, Counseling and Mental Health Services (CAMHS) for mental health support, and the Center for Wellness and Health Promotion for virtual wellness opportunities. Your proctors and advisers will help you set up your support network so that you can take advantage of the resources on campus and remotely.

It is my hope that in spite of the challenges ahead, we will find new ways to connect and strengthen our community this year and that we will look back on this year as a time of innovation, unity, and resilience.

In the meantime, each of us can take an active role in shaping a community that responds to our present challenges,while also working toward our individual aspirations. I cannot wait to meet you and to begin our conversations.
 
Semper Veritas,
 
Rakesh Khurana
Danoff Dean of Harvard College