The HUA Officer Positions That Should Exist

The Harvard Undergraduate Association is responsible for funding student organizations (remind me why HUCG needs Harvard’s money?), advocating for student needs, and Venmoing you $12 for the money you spent on laundry this semester. This spring, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed IOP kids are gearing up for their first taste of public office as they campaign for roles on the HUA ranging from Academic Team Officer to Social Life Team Officer. While we appreciate the hard work that goes into each of these positions, there are a few more that could add substantial value to the important (read: important for the resumé) work of the HUA.

Crimson Print Officer

The fact that we’re still talking about Crimson Print is absurd. There’s got to be a better way. At the bare minimum, I should not have to resort to Googling “Flyby’s Crimson Print Cheat Sheet” every time I need to print anything. A Crimson Print Officer on the HUA might finally put us out of the misery we experience every time we’re required to print out anything for class.

Free Stuff Officer

This one feels obvious. Harvard has a ton of free stuff to give out, but the free stuff only makes its way into the hands of those in the know (or those who actually read their House’s open list). A Free Stuff Officer would streamline the process of procuring free stuff at Harvard, allowing students to make the most out of their tuition ($56,550 for a free T-shirt) and making the process of getting free stuff more equitable and accessible. See, Dean Khurana?! It’s all about equity and accessibility!

Housing Day Officer

Honestly, Housing Day felt less hype than normal this year. A tragedy, to be sure. The HUA’s Housing Day Officer would ensure that a) the weather is perfect on Housing Day, b) only the annoying kids get Houses they’re upset about, and c) every Housing Day video is as good as Currier’s (or Pfoho’s — iykyk). Easy, no?

Snow Day Officer

Harvard’s lack of snow days is upsetting. Sure, it doesn’t snow that much and, fine, we do all live a walkable distance from our classes; regardless, it still feels wrong that snow days had to come to an end in high school. I am especially empathetic to my peers who grew up without snow days at all and will never have the opportunity to experience one. What even was the point of going to school in Boston after all? Virtual school and work = a vibe killer to the snow day community. There’s just something about waking up in a winter wonderland and knowing you have the day off from school that truly hits different. The Snow Day Officer would ensure that Harvard students receive at least one snow day each academic year, complete with a college-wide snowball fight in the Yard and hot chocolate in Annenberg.

HUDS Officer

Let’s be real: HUDS needs help. Between the grape pizza fiasco of 2024 and the lack of hot breakfast in 11 out of 12 of the houses, there is real work to be done to get Harvard’s food up to the caliber of its students. We know that there used to be hot breakfast in every dhall before it was eliminated due to “financial burden” in 2009, and we also know that the graduate schools’ dining quality far exceeds that of the college. The HUA’s HUDS Officer would rectify the current undergraduate dining situation and restore peace to the minds of students who question why they picked Harvard over Duke or Yale every time they eat lunch.

Quad Transportation Officer

First order of business: Passio GO! More like Passio NO! (laugh, please). But, seriously, the shuttle situation is dire, and only seems to have gotten worse this past semester. As made evident by the canon event of missing shuttles and having to do the qualk at 1 a.m. after a night out in the Square, the transportation from the river to the Quad could use some help. Subsidized Ubers? Scooters for rent? All of the above are ideas to ponder for the Quad Transportation Officer.

HarvardKey Officer

I can’t even count the number of times I’ve had to go incognito or use a new search engine due to the “Bad Request” screen popping up when I try to log onto my.harvard. I’m sorry my request is bad; I’m just trying to pick my Fall 2025 classes (already)! Also, as many times as I select “Yes, this is my device,” Duo never seems to remember. Yes, I am indeed logging into Okta w/ Duo MFA. No, there is not somebody who has my login information and wishes to hack into my account to pay my tuition. Hit me up if this is something you’re interested in doing, though.

To the future HUA co-presidents: yes, we (maybe) believe you when you say you care about the student body and not just your LinkedIn. Prove it to us by expanding the Executive Team to include these worthwhile positions. Your student body — and the rats in Kirkland who also eat our food — will thank you.