Contributing writer

Elias M. Valencia

Latest Content


What Can the Trump Administration Do With Harvard’s Race Data?

On Oct. 9, the University will hit a public deadline to turn over documents on its admissions process to the Department of Education, which has been investigating Harvard since May to determine whether it has illegally used race to evaluate applicants.


Education Department Gives Harvard 20 Days To Submit Documents in Admissions Investigation

The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights on Friday gave Harvard a 20-day deadline to turn over information in an investigation into its consideration of race in undergraduate admissions, accusing the University of ignoring repeated requests for documents.


Before Leading Harvard College, David Deming Had a Lot to Say About Its Admissions Policies

Prior to stepping into the role of Harvard College dean in July, David J. Deming was a vocal scholar on elite institutions’ admissions processes, investigating how legacy preferences, athletic recruitment, and testing policies benefit wealthier students in admission to Ivy League schools like Harvard.


Former Irish Prime Minister Relives His Tenure at 2025 Gustav Pollak Lecture

Former Prime Minister of Ireland Leo Varadkar said Western countries should give more foreign aid to reduce illegal migration and defended the rise of deportations during his tenure at the 2025 Gustav Pollak Lecture on Thursday.


Cambridge Earth Day Celebration Offers Sustainability Resources and a Pile of Free Compost

At the City of Cambridge’s annual Earth Day celebration on Saturday, city officials offered residents information on local sustainability programs — and free compost to haul away by the bucketful from a heap in front of the Cambridge Public Library.


African Leaders Call for Action on Trade and Accountability at IOP Forum

Two prominent African leaders said the Trump Administration’s tariffs will diminish U.S. influence and weaken diplomatic relations with African countries during a Friday Institute of Politics forum, just under a week after Trump’s 10 percent tariffs took effect.


Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust Makes $3 Million Increase to City Homeownership Resale Fund

The Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust voted unanimously to provide $800,000 in funding to help the construction of 95 affordable rental units on land formerly held by Lesley University, and added $3 million to a fund for repurchasing and rehabilitating affordable housing in a meeting on Thursday.