John Harvard's Journal gested that communication within FAS fell as who controls credit for online educa- members include the centralization of li- short, and that many colleagues did not tion—have raised concerns in prior faculty brary services, under the provost’s direc- feel comfortable expressing themselves in meetings (see “Online Education Acceler- tion; the provost’s spring 2012 announce- such formal settings. Intro- ates,” March-April, page ment that financial-planning services for ducing the May 7 conversa- 50 and http://harvardmag. professors were being discontinued (see tion, she said the “shared com/edx-growth, and this “Faculty Finance Frustrations,” July-Au- sense” that communica- issue, “Online Overdrive,” gust 2012, page 48); and throughout this tion needed improvement page 50.) academic year, the investigation of under- arose both from faculty • At the February 5 fac- graduate academic misconduct, and the members’ crowded sched- ulty meeting where Presi- administrative probing of resident deans’ d news office ules and e-mail in-boxes r dent Drew Faust and Pro- e-mail accounts, with the initial approval and from “significant r va vost Alan Garber outlined of FAS dean Michael D. Smith and Univer- changes in higher educa- the relocation of SEAS to sity general counsel Robert Iuliano—and, isen/Ha tion, the nation, the world, Evelynn Allston, several SEAS area subsequently, by dean

Hammonds cott E and Harvard.” The latter S deans rose to object that Evelynn M. Hammonds, without Smith’s included some items from her memo: deci- the decision was presented on short notice, knowledge or consent (see “E-mail Up- sions about HarvardX and the online edu- and to express their then-unaddressed res- date,” below). The announcement on the cation partnership with MIT, edX; the pro- ervations about the prospective move (see Tuesday of Commencement week that spective move of the School of Engineering http://harvardmag.com/seas-13). Hammonds would step down at year end and Applied Sciences (SEAS) to Allston; • Although a large University capital proved a kind of punctuation mark for this and the forthcoming capital campaign. campaign is under way (see “Campaign controversy. As background: Chatter,” May-June, page 50), many—per- Longer-serving faculty members re- • Faculty members uncertain about Har- haps most—FAS members seem to have member the trauma—focused on discus- vardX and edX (the development and de- little sense of its aims and impact on re- sions within FAS—that surrounded the ployment of “massive open online courses,” search and teaching, beyond the known administration of Lawrence H. Summers, MOOCs, that disseminate classes world- goals of funding financial aid and renovat- his abrupt dismissal of an FAS dean, and wide electronically)—and their costs and ing the undergraduate Houses. the early end of his own presidency, in implications for teaching and such matters • Other recent issues disquieting faculty 2006. That was followed by the financial

E-mail Update policies regarding access to, and confidentiality of, elec- tronic communications that rely on university information During the April 2 disclosure that the e-mail accounts of a resi- systems. It will consult with faculty, staff, and students in dent dean were investigated multiple times in connection with an order to obtain a full understanding of the perspectives of Administrative Board review of students’ academic misconduct each group. (see “E-mail Imbroglio,” May-June, page 46), President Drew Faust In undertaking its work, the task force will inform itself told the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) that the University about policies now in place at Harvard and other relevant appeared to have “highly inadequate” policies and processes in institutions and solicit perspectives and advice on best place for treating electronic communications properly. practices. She therefore retained attorney Michael B. Keating, LL.B. ’65, The task force will consider whether and to what extent to review the facts and report on whether the situation is fully Harvard’s policies should be University-wide or specific understood; The subsequently disclosed that his to certain parts of the University or particular institu- report will be delivered to a committee comprising Faust and tional roles and responsibilities. Corporation members Lawrence S. Bacow, William F. Lee, and The task force will be expected to focus on recom- Theodore V. Wells Jr. According to a statement issued by Lee: mending policies for the future that are both principled In addition to discussing his findings with the Corporation and practicable and that account for the reasonable ex- committee, [Mr. Keating] will prepare a written report, pectations of individuals, the legitimate interests of the with appropriate regard for confidentiality, that will be University, and associated issues of notice and pro- shared with the Harvard community. He aims to finish his cess.… work by June 30. Barron’s task force includes administrative, associate, and Separately, Faust set up a University task force to establish executive deans from the schools of divinity, public health, and policies and guidelines on e-mail privacy, chaired by Green pro- medicine, and a dozen professors from diverse faculties (the fessor of public law David J. Barron. That group began meeting complete list appears at http://harvardmag.com/priva- on May 6; it expects to make recommendations for Corporation cy-13). It will be supported by vice presidents Marilyn Hausam- action by the end of the coming fall term. It operates under this mann (human resources), Robert Iuliano (University general charter from Faust: counsel), Anne Margulies (chief information officer), and Leah The task force will consider and recommend appropriate Rosovsky (strategy and programs).

52 July - August 2013 Reprinted from . For more information, contact Harvard Magazine, Inc. at 617-495-5746