As a student at HLS, I watched the University struggle to navigate its educational, ethical, and fiduciary responsibilities. I was a student when a grand jury chose not to indict in the Michael brown case, triggering a wave of protests demanding structural change. I sat in the WCC lounge, called “Belinda Hall” then, as student organizers recounted meetings with administrators. And, through these experiences, I realized something important: Students need a seat at the table.
Harvard routinely makes decisions that affect students and recent alumni deeply. The University invests what could be billions in fossil fuels, though it’s our future at stake, and maintains millions in a prison-industrial complex that’s tearing families apart. Meanwhile, administrators are constantly navigating questions around sexual assault, institutional racism, resources for public interest, and other issues that directly affect students and recent students. It’s wonderful when administrators consult students on these vital topics. But, as any burgeoning lawyer knows, institutional design matters: Real impact requires real power.
Our five-person Harvard Forward slate, composed entirely of recent graduates, wants climate justice and a new framework for ethical investing. Above all, though, we want to take your voices — and the voices of recent alumni — and give your concerns real force.