Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
University response: Harvard President Larry Bacow issued a letter about Floyd's death on May 30. Titled What I believe, the letter addressed the coronavirus pandemic and Floyd's death. Bacow compared this historic moment to when Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968, followed by Bobby Kennedy.
Bacow said he believes no one is above the law and that how a society treats its most vulnerable members reveals its justness. He concluded by saying he hopes others in the Harvard community are inclined to reflect and act on their beliefs, adding that its the responsibility of the Harvard community to do so.
In a June 10 message, Bacow addressed the role of the Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) amid protests and discussions of police brutality across the country. Bacow wrote that in early 2020, HUPD was put under review after receiving allegations of racism. Harvard called on industry experts, Brenda Bond and Ronald Davis, to review the university's policing practices, Bacow said.
He released another statement the following week declaring Juneteenth a holiday, announcing that the school's newspaper, the Harvard Gazette, would provide coverage on the topic. He encouraged the community to use the time to learn about racial justice.
On June 21, Bacow released a statement about a racist email that was sent to thousands of Harvard community members. He apologized that it happened and implored those who haven't opened it yet not to. A racist attack against one of us is an attack against all of us, he wrote, adding that the university is investigating the incident.
The next day, Bacow announced that Sherri Charleston, who was the assistant vice provost for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and chief affirmative action officer at the University of Wisconsin, was joining Harvard as the new chief diversity and inclusion officer.