"The financial aid changes were critical," he said. "Without the changes, the progress we have made could have been brought to a grinding halt."
Both Lewis and Fitzsimmons said they are now turning their attention to encouraging the students admitted last week to take up residence in Harvard Yard in the fall.
"What really matters is who shows up in September. [We need to] make sure we attract the students we admitted," Lewis said.
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Fitzsimmons said the stream of positive responses trickling in to Byerly Hall is encouraging.
"The final returns won't be in until May 1, but so far, so good," he said.