Looking Back 1972-1997

This chronology, to quote an earlier anthologist of Crimson history, is highly subjective and definitely incomplete. Some events were chosen for historical importance while others were chosen for their dramatic value, interest to current under-graduates or oddity.

A lot of administrative issues -- which The Crimson once called "Let's make a resolution to form a committee to write up a study of a report about a committee to recommend that we discuss some more issues" are omitted even though they are important. For issues that recurred over the years, one event is singled out as representative.

1972

Black students take over Massachusetts Hall in protest of Harvard's investments in companies that do business in the former Portuguese colony of Angola. Alleging that the University investments in corporations such as Gulf Oil Inc. "facilitate the daily slaughter of Africans," the protesters hold a "mill-in" at University Hall in February. When President Derek C. Bok announces in April that Harvard will not sell its stock, 33 students occupy Massachusetts Hall, forcing the first-years who live there relocate to a nearby hotel.

"Quadded" enters the Harvard vocabulary as President Derek C. Bok announces in March that some upperclass students will live in the quad and some first-year women will live in the Yard.

1973

Bok names economic historian Henry Rosovsky Dean of the Faculty. Rosovsky will become the father of the Core curriculum program.

Harvard develops an affirmative action plan after three years of negotiations with the Federal government.

1975 3