Harvard sometimes seems to have a memory stretching all the way back to 1636--you may even hear references to long ago phenomenon like the "Bust," Gina Grant or a third world center. A firm knowledge of the past two years of Harvard history, though, will help you understand why the College is the way it is today. Read on to learn about "depoliticization," grapes and other Harvardiana that shaped the past two years.

JANUARY 25, 1999 A Crimson survey found that 24 percent of Harvard undergraduates have used drugs while at Harvard, with 23 percent saying they have used marijuana. Forty-one percent of humanities concentrators said they have used drugs at the College, compared to 18 percent of natural-science concentrators and 24 percent of social science concentrators.

FEBRUARY 16, 1999 The Crimson reported the impending resignations of three assistant professors in the English Department--Ann Pellegrini '86, Joshua "Jed" D. Esty and Jonah Siegel--continuing the University's high annual losses of junior Faculty members who were not offered tenure. "We'll be losing seasoned, valuable junior Faculty and that impacts the whole life of the department," said Lawrence Buell, English department chair.

FEBRUARY 17, 1999 The Crimson reported the University would spend $4 million on a new tower to be placed atop Memorial Hall. Some student leaders--engaged in the perennial search for scarce office space--criticized the University's priorities. Undergraduate Council Vice President Kamil E. Redmond '00 said it was "absurd that Harvard draws on donors...to fund a project which has no immediate benefit for students."

MARCH 9, 1999 With the largest group of students in recent memory rallying outside of University Hall, the Faculty voted to dismiss D. Drew Douglas '00, who pled guilty to the charge of indecent assault and in Fall 1998. The students called for "justice"--a cry that united activists from the Progressive Student Labor Movement, the Coalition against Sexual Violence and the Living Wage Campaign. Earlier that week, the University publicly endorsed "full disclosure" of the factory locations where Harvard apparel is made.

MARCH 27, 1999 The Harvard women's hockey team defeated UNH 6-5 in overtime in the AWCHA national championship game. Co-captain A.J. Mleczko '99 assisted Jennifer L. Botterill '02 with the game-winner at 8:01 of the sudden-death period.

APRIL 20, 1999 Harvard and Radcliffe announced that Radcliffe would be absorbed under the University's umbrella as the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, 120 years after it first brought women a Harvard education. Officials said the Institute would "sustain a commitment to the study of women, gender and society." Under the proposed agreement, Radcliffe would be placed on an equal administrative footing with the University's nine faculties. Linda S. Wilson, Radcliffe's seventh and final president, announced that she would step down from her post in June. The fate of Radcliffe's undergraduate programs is yet to be determined.