Parents Descend on Campus

A freshman urgently called his mother to inform her of a failed midterm, igniting her fears that he would need to drop out of Harvard.

After the audience’s laughter subsided, representatives from the Bureau of Study Counsel and the Freshman Dean’s Office offered parents advice on how to deal with such a situation—which was part of a skit performed by The Immediate Gratification Players during the opening ceremony of Freshman Parents Weekend.

This weekend provided hundreds of parents, proudly wearing their crimson Harvard parent pins, an opportunity to sit in on their children’s classes, cheer for Harvard during the Harvard vs. Lehigh University football game, and hear from U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan ’87 on the importance of community service.

Harvard President Drew G. Faust and  College Dean Evelynn M. Hammonds welcomed parents in speeches that highlighted the importance of finding one’s passion during the college years, even if that passion differs from parents’ expectations or notions developed in high school.

Following the remarks, IGP presented the sketches that showcased common interactions between students and parents and were subject to advice and analysis by representatives of several University and College offices that provide resources to students.

Dean of Freshmen Thomas A. Dingman ’67 then led a question-and-answer session, during which parents voiced their concerns over the recent Memorial Church suicide and the disparity between resources available to students with and without financial aid.

Nevertheless, most parents said they appreciated the broad scope of Harvard’s resources.

“I now realize how amazing the resources available to students really are,” Denis N. Houser said. “Have you heard of the libraries’ scan-and-deliver service? That’s amazing!”

“The events really go to the core of the Harvard experience,” added his wife, Linda L. Houser.

Dennis M. Lindeborg said he appreciated the work of the FDO and reminisced about his college days.

“You put yourself back into the shoes of your 18-year-old self and think, ‘I’d love to do this’. You end up living vicariously through your children,” he said.

Dingman said that many parents echoed Lindeborg’s sentiments.

“Many parents I spoke to were very envious of their children,” he said. “Parents wanted to know if there were opportunities for them to enroll as well.”

The weekend has existed for at least 35 years, Dingman added.

Many parents’ feedback was markedly positive. Carla Castillo succinctly summarized her opinions of the weekend.

“Of course Harvard does something like this right,” she said. “It’s Harvard.”