Skip to main content

Popular Topics

This list provides background information and helpful links to topics of current and continuing interest to journalists and the University community.

A gate at Harvard

Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP) Lawsuit

International students enrich the learning environment at Harvard and countless other institutions across the United States. The recent steps announced by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding students under the SEVP to not allow international students to stay in the country if the programs they are enrolled in are holding courses entirely online, Harvard believes, is bad policy and illegal. On July 8, 2020, Harvard filed for a temporary restraining order prohibiting enforcement of the ICE order.

Learn more

an illustration of a hand holding a mask, and a banner that says "keep harvard healthy"

Harvard and COVID-19

Harvard University is closely monitoring the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Our top priority remains the health, safety, and well-being of our community, on and off campus. We are planning for several reopening stages to limit the spread of COVID-19 while ensuring the continuity of our teaching and research mission.

Visit the coronavirus page

People walking by Kirkland house

Admissions Lawsuit

Harvard College is committed to expanding opportunity, to excellence, and to creating the diverse community essential to fulfilling its mission of educating engaged citizens and leaders. Harvard’s admissions policies do not discriminate against any applicant from any group. We will continue to vigorously defend the right of Harvard College, and every other college and university in the nation, to seek the educational benefits that come from bringing together a diverse group of students.

Learn more

Trees seen through a walkway

Tackling Climate Change

At Harvard, we are acting on climate change through research that occurs across disciplines and throughout the world; through teaching and learning, by providing our students with the tools to confront this issue for generations to come; and on our campus, by modeling an institutional pathway to a healthier, more sustainable community.

See our climate change page

A student pointing to a computer screen as his teacher watches

The Harvard Endowment

Harvard’s endowment, the University’s largest financial asset, is a perpetual source of support for the University and its mission of teaching and research. The endowment is made up of more than 14,000 funds; the two largest categories of funds support faculty and students, including professorships and financial aid for undergraduates, graduate fellowships, and student life and activities.

Visit our endowment page

students in lab coats in a lab

Federally Funded Research

As one of America’s leading research institutions, Harvard University actively partners with the federal government and other research universities to strive for academic excellence, to conduct cutting-edge research and to further innovation.

See all of our research

Three older women dancing

Harvard in the Community

From Cambridge, to Allston-Brighton, to Longwood and beyond, Harvard is proud to be part of this region, and to contribute in ways that make the communities we call home more vibrant as a result of the work we do together.

See what we’re up to in the community

Claudine Gay at a desk

Office of the President

Learn more about Claudine Gay, the 30th President of Harvard University.

Visit the president’s page

A student holding a very small robot with tweezers

Patent Enforcement

The creation and dissemination of new ideas for the public’s benefit is integral to a research university’s academic mission.

Learn more

A Harvard building with the reflection of the sunrise on it

Student Unionization

The University is committed to protecting the integrity of its teaching mission, the academic freedom that supports its research mission, and serving all of its students, in every School and academic program.

Learn about student unionization