Dear Harvard Griffin GSAS students,
To our entire student community, whether you are new or continuing, on campus, or elsewhere—welcome to the 2024–2025 academic year! Below you will find important information designed to help you throughout the course of the year.
The University and School will be in touch with you regularly so please keep an eye on your inbox for two monthly emails: Need to Know on the first of the month and the Bulletin, which arrives on or near the 15th. Additionally, you will also receive important updates from me about Harvard Griffin GSAS and Harvard policies that affect your academic activities. These policies and updates include the Campus Use Rules and the University-Wide Statement on Rights and Responsibilities, and I urge you to familiarize yourselves with these in particular and pay close attention to emails from Harvard Griffin GSAS and the University, as they will continue to provide critical information designed to help you navigate your graduate career.
Don’t forget that the Student Center at Harvard Griffin GSAS is your hub for extracurricular activities and Engage, our student activities platform, includes events happening every day across the University. The Center Fellows, Diversity and Inclusion Fellows, and many student groups develop engaging programs and are ready to help you connect with peers, pursue what matters to you, and learn something new. These opportunities and many more across the University are wonderful ways to engage with and learn from others in the community who have an extraordinary variety of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. Remember to follow our social media accounts for the latest from the School and the Student Center.
Additionally, don’t hesitate to leverage the wide world of Harvard Griffin GSAS alumni. The Harvard alumni community is a tremendous resource, offering mentorship, career networking, and affinity groups to join. I encourage you to explore the many ways you can connect with alumni.
Finally, as you settle into your own routines, remember that Harvard Griffin GSAS and Harvard have a host of resources to help you academically and personally. Be sure to take full advantage of them as you connect with one another. Everyone here—be it your advisor, director of graduate studies, staff, and faculty—is committed to your well-being and there is no wrong door when it comes to support.
As always, I look forward to seeing many of you on campus and at events throughout the year. In the meantime, I wish you all the best in the year ahead.
With all best wishes,
Emma Dench
Dean of the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
McLean Professor of Ancient and Modern History and of the Classics
