University Finances
Harvard’s Gift Officers Are Worried About Backlash Over the School’s Israel-Hamas Response. Here’s Why.
Harvard gift officers are privately worried that some longtime donors will stop giving as a result of the controversy over the University’s response to the Israel-Hamas war and concerns about antisemitism on campus, five Harvard donors said in interviews over the past month.
Harvard Management Co. Decreased Investments in Meta and Alphabet, Sold Biopharma Holdings in Q3
The Harvard Management Company sold a significant percentage of its direct holdings in Meta and Alphabet, as well as the entirety of its direct holdings in several acquired biomedical and pharmaceutical companies, during the third quarter of 2023.
Faculty of Arts and Sciences Ends Fiscal Year 2023 with $62 Million Surplus
Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences reported a surplus of $62 million for fiscal year 2023, according to a report presented at a faculty meeting Tuesday.
Stop Harvard Land Grabs Coalition Demands Reparations for Former Harvard Farmland Purchases in Brazil
The Stop Harvard Land Grabs Coalition reiterated calls for the University to provide reparations to residents impacted by former holdings in Brazilian farmlands at an annual hybrid panel Wednesday.
Harvard Fails to Meet Boston PILOT Request for 12th Straight Year As Activists Seek Program Revamp
For the 12th time since Boston began making formal requests under revised guidelines in fiscal year 2012, Harvard has again failed to meet the city’s specified contribution to its Payment in Lieu of Taxes program.
Harvard Ended Fiscal Year 2023 with $186M Budget Surplus
Harvard ended fiscal year 2023 with a $186 million budget surplus — less than half of last year’s value — as the school faced rising costs from investments in its workforce and renewed activity on campus following the pandemic.
By the Numbers: Harvard’s Fiscal Year 2023 Financials
Harvard released its Annual Financial Report on Thursday, which offers a rare glimpse into the University’s finances and investment strategy. Here’s a closer look at the data revealed by this year’s disclosures.
Harvard’s Endowment Could Deliver Poor Returns for the Second Year in a Row
One year after Harvard’s endowment reported a $2.3 billion drop in value — its first year of negative returns since 2016 — financial experts say the school could be headed towards a second straight year of poor investment results.
Santa Barbara Board Upholds Rejection of Reservoir Construction Project on Former HMC Holdings
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors voted on Tuesday to uphold an earlier county decision that rejected a project to construct three water storage reservoirs on former Harvard University land holdings in central California.
Harvard’s Men’s Teams Continue to See Higher Coaching Salaries and Budgets Than Women’s Teams
Harvard paid the head coaches of its men’s varsity teams roughly $30,000 more on average than their counterparts leading women’s teams last year, according to a yearly report filed by the Athletics Department.
Could Losing Legacy Admissions Sustain Racial Diversity?
With the fall of affirmative action, some have suggested that elite universities like Harvard could maintain racial diversity by eliminating legacy admissions preferences. But questions linger over whether dismantling the practice would lead to a meaningful expansion in diversity — and whether alumni donation dollars would wither.
Want to Rename Harvard Medical School? The Price is $1 Billion
Harvard Medical School’s naming rights are for sale. The asking price? An unrestricted donation of $1 billion.
Harvard Received $218M in Foreign Funding Since January 2022
Harvard received upwards of $218 million in foreign funding since January 2022, according to recent data from the Department of Education.
Michael McNally To Lead Harvard FAS Fundraising Efforts as Associate Vice President and Dean of Development
Michael McNally, an education and healthcare fundraising official, will return to Harvard for a fourth time to serve as the Faculty of Arts and Sciences’ associate vice president and dean of development, FAS Dean Hopi E. Hoesktra and Vice President for University Alumni Affairs and Development Brian K. Lee announced Monday.
Harvard Will Have to Cover Own Legal Fees From Anti-Affirmative Action Case, First Circuit Rules
A month after the Supreme Court ruled against Harvard and effectively struck down affirmative action in higher education admissions, the University was dealt another legal blow — this time, to its pocketbook.
Judges Cast Doubt on Harvard’s Claim that Insurance Firm Must Cover Admissions Lawsuit Fees
A panel of three federal judges appeared skeptical of Harvard’s claim that Zurich American Insurance Company is responsible for covering the University’s remaining legal expenses during a hearing Wednesday.
Ritu Kalra Named as Harvard CFO and VP for Finance
Ritu Kalra, who currently serves as Harvard’s director of the Office of Treasury Management, will ascend to the post of chief financial officer and vice president for finance, the University announced Tuesday afternoon.
‘You Can’t Eat Prestige’: Graduate Students and Teaching Fellows Strike Over Financial Aid Cuts
In March 1973, about 700 members of Harvard’s Graduate Students and Teaching Fellow Union braved four days of sub-zero temperatures to protest the newly introduced Kraus Plan, which ultimately reduced financial aid for graduate students.
Harvard Experiences 18% Jump in Direct Public Portfolio Value in Q1 2023
The value of Harvard Management Company’s direct public investments increased by 18 percent during the first quarter of 2023 as key tech stocks in its portfolio rallied.
Barakett to Become Harvard Treasurer as Finnegan Steps Down
Timothy R. Barakett ’87 will replace Paul J. Finnegan ’75 as the University’s treasurer beginning July 1, Harvard announced Wednesday afternoon.
CFO Search Has Identified ‘Very Good Candidates,’ Says Harvard Corporation Senior Fellow Penny Pritzker ’81
Harvard Corporation senior fellow Penny S. Pritzker ’81 said “several very good candidates” have been identified in the search for the University’s next chief financial officer.
Outgoing Harvard President Lawrence Bacow Earned $1.3 Million in 2021, Financial Disclosures Show
Harvard University President Lawrence S. Bacow earned more than $1.3 million in calendar year 2021, a pay increase from the $1.1 million he made in 2020.
Assets to Axes: How Harvard’s Land Investments Inspired Fear in Brazil’s Cerrado
Although the full extent of HMC’s former landholdings remain concealed behind a complex web of private equity firms, associated subsidiary companies and investment partners, what is clear is that HMC’s purchases contributed to a climate of anxiety, fear, and strain on Brazilian subsistence farmers.
Harvard House Renewal Project Delayed and Over Budget After Pandemic Setbacks
As the renovation of Adams House, one of Harvard’s undergraduate residential houses, enters its third phase this June, the University anticipates an unprecedented 12 to 14 percent rise in costs — nearly 10 percentage points higher than the traditional 4 percent benchmark.
Outgoing Harvard CFO Says ‘It’s Time to be Very Cautious’ Amid Rising Economic Turmoil
Outgoing Harvard Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer Thomas J. Hollister said in a Thursday interview that the University should be “very cautious” in its financial management as the school confronts an increasingly uncertain economic climate.