New Leadership, Federal Challenges, and Campus Changes Shape Harvard’s Fall 2025

Good afternoon, Harvard community. Today is Monday, September 1, 2025, and you're listening to the latest episode of our campus news podcast. Let's dive into the top stories shaping our university. David Deming has officially assumed his role as the new Dean of Harvard College. An economist specializing in education and labor markets, Deming previously served as the director of the Malcolm Wiener Center for Social Policy. He succeeds Rakesh Khurana and brings a wealth of experience to his new position. In other leadership news, Alan Garber has been installed as the 31st President of Harvard University. Garber, a physician and health economist, previously served as the university's provost. His presidency comes at a pivotal time as Harvard navigates complex challenges on multiple fronts. Harvard is currently facing significant financial hurdles due to a federal funding freeze imposed by the Trump administration. The freeze affects over $2.6 billion in research grants, prompting the university to allocate $250 million of its own funds to sustain critical research projects. President Garber has acknowledged the difficult decisions ahead but remains committed to preserving Harvard's research excellence. The State Department has initiated an investigation into Harvard's participation in the Exchange Visitor Program, which facilitates visas for international students and researchers. This development adds to the ongoing tensions between the university and the federal government, following previous actions that have impacted Harvard's ability to enroll foreign students. The Class of 2029 has arrived on a campus undergoing significant policy shifts. In response to federal pressures, Harvard has restructured its diversity and inclusion initiatives, including renaming the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging to the Office for Community and Campus Life. Additionally, the university has implemented mandatory antisemitism training for upperclassmen, reflecting its commitment to addressing concerns raised by the administration. Looking ahead to the fall season, the Harvard Crimson football team is gearing up under the leadership of second-year head coach Andrew Aurich. The team has been selected to finish first in the Ivy League preseason poll, setting high expectations for the upcoming games. Today's weather in Cambridge is mostly cloudy with a current temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Expect partly sunny skies throughout the afternoon, with temperatures reaching up to 74 degrees. As evening approaches, temperatures will gradually drop, leading to mostly clear conditions overnight. That's all for today's update. Stay informed and engaged, Harvard. We'll be back with more news and stories from around campus.