Covering Harvard's faculty for @thecrimson
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Articles by Abigail S. Gerstein
Harvard Professors Demand Stronger Administrative Response Amid Graduate Student Strike
At a Tuesday faculty meeting, professors voiced frustration over Harvard administrators' response to the ongoing graduate student strike. | By Pavan V. Thakkar By Abigail S. Gerstein and Amann S. Mahajan, Crimson Staff Writers Professors voiced frustration about Harvard administrators’ response to the ongoing graduate student strike and its effects on faculty and students at a Tuesday faculty meeting. Members of Harvard’s graduate student union have been on strike since Oct.
FAS Unrestricted Reserves Decline Amid Record Fundraising Year
The Faculty of Arts and Sciences is seeing a consistent decline in unrestricted reserves, despite seeing a rise in restricted reserves. | By Mae T. Weir By Abigail S. Gerstein and Amann S. Mahajan, Crimson Staff Writers The Faculty of Arts and Sciences is seeing a steady decline in unrestricted reserves even as restricted reserves climb, FAS Chief Financial Officer Julie A. Joncas shared at a Tuesday faculty meeting.
FAS Delays Faculty Senate Vote after Professors Propose Sweeping Amendments
The Faculty of Arts and Sciences postponed a vote on proposed faculty senate bylaws after University Professor Danielle S. Allen withdrew her motion to approve them at a Tuesday faculty meeting. Allen’s withdrawal followed the circulation of amendments to the bylaws by a group of six faculty members that would reduce the power of the University president in the body, give the senate greater autonomy over committee formation, and allow it to pass resolutions by majority vote.
FAS Says it Will Recoup McKinsey Fees in Under Six Months, Declines to Disclose Costs
Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean Hopi E. Hoekstra said Tuesday that the FAS expects to recoup its spending on management consulting firm McKinsey & Company in less than six months after a widespread staff restructuring. | By Hugo C. Chiasson By Abigail S. Gerstein and Amann S.
Planning Body Releases Final Bylaws for Harvard Faculty Senate After Input From University Leadership
Harvard’s faculty senate planning body released a final set of proposed bylaws for the group Thursday, outlining a largely advisory body that would work closely with top Harvard officials to address University-wide issues. The new bylaws, officially endorsed by Harvard President Alan M. Garber ’76 and Provost John F. Manning ’82 in an accompanying letter, appear to address concerns from administrators about the body’s makeup and interactions with existing governance structures.
FAS Could Save Roughly $20 Million Annually After Staff Cuts
The Faculty of Arts and Sciences could save roughly $20 million annually from its staffing overhaul, FAS Dean Hopi E. Hoekstra said at a Tuesday faculty meeting. The estimate puts a figure to the school’s structural savings from a staff restructuring partly aimed at curbing its $365 million budget deficit. It came after several faculty pressed Hoekstra on the specifics of the restructuring ahead of staff turnover later this month.
FAS Dean Hoekstra Addresses Cornell Sexual Assault Case, Calls Description ‘Horrific’
Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean Hopi E. Hoekstra addressed an alleged sexual assault at Cornell University at a Tuesday faculty meeting, calling the description of the incident “horrific and really difficult to comprehend.” A former Cornell student sued the school and seven fraternity members last month, alleging that multiple men drugged and raped her at the fraternity’s house in October 2024 — a case that has since made national headlines.
Harvard FAS Launches 25 Faculty Searches, Loosening Hiring Freeze
Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences is launching 25 tenure-track faculty searches, FAS Dean Hopi E. Hoekstra announced in a Monday email to faculty. | By Mae T. Weir By Abigail S. Gerstein and Amann S. Mahajan, Crimson Staff Writers Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences is launching 25 tenure-track faculty searches, FAS Dean Hopi E.
FAS to Restore Ph.D. Admissions to 80 Percent of Historical Levels
The Faculty of Arts and Sciences announced that it would increase seats for Ph.D. admissions to 80 percent of historical levels in the upcoming admissions cycle. | By Mae T. Weir By Abigail S. Gerstein and Amann S. Mahajan, Crimson Staff Writers The Faculty of Arts and Sciences will increase Ph.D. admissions slots across its three divisions to 80 percent of historical levels this admissions cycle, rolling back cuts that reduced seats last year by roughly 50 percent across divisions.
Harvard College Writing Program Director to Retire Amid Changes to Writing Resources
The Harvard College Writing Program is located at 1 Bow Street. Thomas R. Jehn, the longtime director of the program, retired on Wednesday. | By Uy B. Pham By Abigail S. Gerstein and Amann S. Mahajan, Crimson Staff Writers Thomas R. Jehn, the longtime director of the Harvard College Writing Program, retired Wednesday after nearly three decades at the University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences spokesperson James M. Chisholm confirmed Tuesday.
Harvard Science Division Launches Five AI-Related Faculty Searches
Science departments in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences are launching at least five artificial intelligence-related faculty searches, after Dean of Science David T. Johnston pitched themed searches to secure new positions amid a hiring freeze. The five searches span at least eight departments in the Division of Science and seek faculty who will apply AI to their work.
Physics Faculty Lose Bid to Preserve Grant Administrator’s Role Under FAS Restructuring
Physics faculty waged an unsuccessful campaign last month to preserve the job functions of the administrator overseeing the department’s roughly $150 million research portfolio, and are now racing to get grants in order before a Faculty of Arts and Sciences restructuring splits pre- and post-award management in October. Adam A.
95 Percent of Faculty Dissatisfied With Trump’s Second Term, FAS Survey Finds
By Abigail S. Gerstein and Amann S. Mahajan, Crimson Staff Writers Ninety-five percent of faculty who responded to The Crimson's annual Faculty of Arts and Sciences survey said they were dissatisfied with U.S. President Donald Trump's second term in office. | By Mae T.
FAS Raised Roughly $800 Million In FY2026, Far Surpassing Its $500 Million Target
The Harvard Alumni Affairs and Development office is located at 124 Mount Auburn Street. Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences raised roughly $800 million in fiscal year 2026, far surpassing its $500 million target. | By Uy B. Pham By Abigail S. Gerstein and Amann S.
More than 60 Percent of Harvard Faculty Say AI Harms Their Courses
University Hall is in Harvard Yard. Nearly two-thirds of professors who responded to The Crimson's annual faculty survey said they feel the use of AI has had a negative effect on their courses. | By Hugo C. Chiasson By Abigail S. Gerstein and Amann S.
FAS Launches Second $100 Million Drive for Ph.D. Fellowships After Meeting First Goal
The Harvard Alumni Affairs and Development office is located at 124 Mount Auburn St. The Faculty of Arts and Sciences will begin a second fundraising campaign for Ph.D. fellowships after donors helped meet the school's initial target. | By Uy B. Pham By Abigail S. Gerstein and Amann S.
FAS Faculty Grew More Skeptical of Systemic Antisemitism as DOJ Pressed Its Case
The Crimson's 2026 FAS survey showed faculty are more skeptical of systemic antisemitism at Harvard as the federal government has repeatedly made the issue the focal point of its case against the University. | By Pavan V. Thakkar By Abigail S. Gerstein and Amann S.
On Survey, Majority of FAS Faculty Oppose Harvard’s $10M Viewpoint Diversity Push
More than half of respondents to The Crimson’s annual faculty survey opposed Harvard’s efforts to solicit donations for a viewpoint diversity initiative — rejecting a push to raise hundreds of millions of dollars through $10 million endowed professorships meant to broaden ideological representation. Nearly 47 percent of faculty respondents also disagreed that Harvard has a troubling lack of ideological diversity among its faculty, while roughly 31 percent agreed.
FAS Survey Shows Faculty Split on Hoekstra Amid Budget Cuts
Faculty soured on Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean Hopi E. Hoekstra amid broad-scale austerity measures this year, according to The Crimson’s annual FAS survey. Thirty-one percent of respondents said they were either “somewhat satisfied” or “very satisfied” with Hoekstra’s tenure as FAS dean, a sharp reversal from last year, when 57 percent said they were satisfied with her leadership. That figure marks the lowest approval rating she has had on the survey since stepping into the role.
Harvard Humanities Faculty Push Back on Deming’s Call for AI Use in Writing Courses
The Barker Center houses several of Harvard's humanities departments. Faculty in the humanities and social sciences expressed concern over a suggestion by College Dean David J. Deming that writing-intensive courses integrate artificial intelligence. | By Kai R. McNamee By Abigail S. Gerstein and Amann S. Mahajan, Crimson Staff Writers Harvard faculty in the humanities and social sciences expressed broad concern over an email Harvard College Dean David J.
Idaho public housing authorities approach proposed work requirements with caution Original
Only one of Idaho’s public housing authorities has signed on to a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development coalition to consider adding work requirements to its subsidized housing programs. Other authority leaders say they remain skeptical about the benefits of a work requirement.
Controller declares ‘Idaho Transparency Month’ with stakeholder discussions, government access tips Original
August is now Idaho Transparency Month, according to a Friday announcement from Idaho State Controller Brandon Woolf. The initiative will highlight Idaho’s commitment to open government, with a focus on connecting Idahoans with the transparency platforms Idaho operates, the announcement said. The Office of the State Controller plans to hold stakeholder discussions, and share “Did You Know” transparency tips throughout August.
An Idaho law penalizes people sleeping in public spaces. Advocates say it harms more than it helps. Original
On the afternoon of June 22, Neil “Lee” Spring was sitting in Rhodes Skate Park with a friend when officers from the Boise Police Department approached him. “We’re going to give you a ticket for sitting here everyday,” Spring said officers told him. He was issued a $10 citation for camping on public property — a violation of Boise’s city ordinances. Public camping became illegal in Boise last summer after Gov.
Escalating Middle East tensions increase gas prices in Idaho Original
Gas prices are up by 18 cents from last week across Idaho according to AAA, as the crude oil market continues to face pressure from intensifying conflict in the Middle East. Crude oil is now trading at nearly $88 a barrel after an attempt by Houthi rebels to block oil shipments from Saudi Arabia through the Bab al-Mandab Strait has disrupted the global market.
Idaho’s Brownlee and Hells Canyon reservoirs under health advisory
Posted 7/21/26 Idaho’s Department of Health and Welfare advised recreators to stay out of Brownlee and Hells Canyon reservoirs on Monday, after recent samples revealed high amounts of toxin-producing cyanobacteria. Monday’s advisory comes after the department issued the same warning for Crane Creek Reservoir in Washington County earlier this month. The advisories show the continuing effects of […] This item is available in full to subscribers.
Idaho’s Brownlee and Hells Canyon reservoirs under health advisory
Posted Tuesday, July 21, 2026 7:16 pm Cyanobacteria blooms occur when blue-green algae rapidly grows out of control. (Courtesy of Lorraine Backer/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public health image library) Idaho’s Department of Health and Welfare advised recreators to stay out of Brownlee and Hells Canyon reservoirs on Monday, after recent samples revealed high amounts of toxin-producing cyanobacteria.
Idaho’s Brownlee and Hells Canyon reservoirs under health advisory Original
Idaho’s Department of Health and Welfare advised recreators to stay out of Brownlee and Hells Canyon reservoirs on Monday, after recent samples revealed high amounts of toxin-producing cyanobacteria. Monday’s advisory comes after the department issued the same warning for Crane Creek Reservoir in Washington County earlier this month. The advisories show the continuing effects of a harmful algal bloom season, which lasts the length of the summer.
As national gas prices rise, Idaho’s remain even higher
Idahoans are facing high prices at the pump as gas costs rose about 6 cents this week, according to a press release from AAA. A gallon of regular gasoline is averaging $4.05 across the state. That represents a nearly 50 cent increase compared to this time last year. Still, consumers could be feeling short-term relief as gas prices were 19 cents higher last month. Idaho’s prices still outpace national rates, which averaged $4 per gallon this week — a 13 cent hike from last week’s numbers.
Idaho’s Brownlee and Hells Canyon reservoirs under health advisory
Monday’s advisory comes after the department issued the same warning for Crane Creek Reservoir in Washington County earlier this month. kAmkDA2? DEJ=6lQ7@?E\H6:89Ei c__jQm%96 25G:D@C:6D D9@H E96 4@?E:?F:?8 67764ED @7 2 92C>7F= 2=82= 3=@@> D62D@?[ H9:49 =2DED E96 =6?8E9 @7 E96 DF>>6C] p== E9C66 C6D6CG@:CD E6DE65 7@C 9:89 =6G6=D @7 E@I:?\AC@5F4:?8 4J2?@324E6C:2[ H9:49 42?
New report finds health of Snake River has improved, recommends further intervention Original
A new report by the Idaho Conservation League found that the Snake River, which spans the breadth of the state, has made dramatic progress in water quality, but ongoing threats still make the river unsafe in many areas. In its first-ever ‘State of the Snake’ report, the ICL, a nonprofit dedicated to environmental issues in Idaho, used data from a variety of sources to capture a comprehensive understanding of the river’s health.
Small Business Administration offers low-interest loans for wind, drought damage Original
Homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofits harmed by windstorms and earlier drought conditions can now apply for loans from the Small Business Administration to help replace and repair their property or other assets. Last December, counties across the state experienced severe windstorms as gusts exceeding 80 miles per hour triggered widespread power outages.
Small Business Administration offers low-interest loans for wind, drought damage
Homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofits harmed by windstorms and earlier drought conditions can now apply for loans from the Small Business Administration to help replace and repair their property or other assets. Last December, counties across the state experienced severe windstorms as gusts exceeding 80 miles per hour triggered widespread power outages.
In photos: Idaho celebrates 250 years of American independence Original
Current and former members of the United States military were a focus of the parade. (Abigail Gerstein/Idaho Capital Sun) (Abigail Gerstein/Idaho Capital Sun) Pageantry was on full display as victors from various pageants waved to the crowd. (Abigail Gerstein/Idaho Capital Sun) Many people brought folding camp chairs to comfortably watch the festivities. (Abigail Gerstein/Idaho Capital Sun) Spectators cheered and shouted "thank you" as veterans of foreign wars rolled past.
In photos: Idaho celebrates 250 years of American independence
As cities and towns across Idaho celebrated the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, thousands lined Boise’s Capitol Boulevard on Saturday to watch the annual July 4 parade.
In photos: Idaho celebrates 250 years of American independence
As cities and towns across Idaho celebrated the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, thousands lined Boise’s Capitol Boulevard on Saturday to watch the annual July 4 parade. Originally published on idahocapitalsun.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.
Idaho Army National Guard will honor former Gov. Kempthorne in new readiness center dedication Original
The late Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne will be honored in a dedication ceremony for the newly completed Jerome County Regional Readiness Center and Vehicle Maintenance Facility on Monday the Idaho Army National Guard announced this week. The recently finished readiness center will be home base for Idaho Army National Guard’s 145th Light Support Battalion and its Vehicle Maintenance Facility, which is currently based in Lewiston. In this file photo, U.S. President George W.
Idaho leads the nation in housing growth. The data shows it’s still not enough. Original
For the second year in a row, Idaho had the highest housing unit growth rate in the nation — boasting a 2.1% increase in its housing stock in 2025, according to the Idaho Department of Labor. But the addition of more than 17,000 units still falls short of need as the state’s population surges. Between 2020 and 2025, Idaho increased its housing stock by over 12% — far outpacing the national increase of 5.3%.
New digital tour honors the work of Japanese American artist incarcerated at Minidoka during WWII Original
The work and story of Japanese American painter Takuichi Fujii is now available via a digital tour produced by Friends of Minidoka — a nonprofit built to partner with the Minidoka National Historic Site where Fujii was incarcerated during World War II.
‘Sky’s the limit’: Paula Mason wants to raise the bar for deaf and blind education in Idaho Original
by Abigail Gerstein, Idaho Capital Sun June 24, 2026 For Paula Mason, the new executive director of the Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind, deaf education is personal. At 4 years old, Mason’s father sustained a head injury that left him with profound hearing loss. The accident, however, did not stop Mason’s father from hitchhiking from Pennsylvania to Wyoming.
‘Sky’s the limit’: Paula Mason wants to raise the bar for deaf and blind education in Idaho
College & University 1 hour ago Student-loan borrowers are struggling with repayment. A new federal report shows a key reason. Business Insider - Ayelet Sheffey • 1h New data is out on the scope of staffing cuts at the Department of Education — and their impact on student-loan borrowers. The office of Federal Student Aid, which oversees the $1.7 trillion student-loan portfolio, lost 40% of its staff during the DOGE era in early 2025, according to a new inspector …
Idaho ranks 13th in overall child well-being, trails in healthcare and education
A new Kids Count Data Book bumps Idaho from 15th to 13th in the nation for overall child well-being. (Photo by Getty Images) Idaho ranks 13th in overall child well-being, with improvements in teen pregnancy and child death rates, but worsened in six out of 16 categories since 2019. Idaho performs the worst in education, ranking 36th among the 50 states, with the lowest per pupil spending in the country and high rates of children below grade level in reading and math.
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