May 1998
6 - Twenty-six current and former House tutors, all minorites, issue an open letter to the University officials saying that the decision to randomize Harvard's Houses has adversely affected undergraduates and severely weakened the House system as a whole.

10 - The Parade of Stars, Harvard's own Oscar-like ceremony, presents awards to student groups and individuals for performance, athletics and publication. Voting for winners is open to the campus but comes under fire for its elitism, and many nominees remove their names from the ballots.

15 - Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis '68 announces a plan to give an additional $25,000 of the College's money to the 240-plus student groups on campus.

September 1998
"Fly-By" lunches come to Loker.

16 - Harvard officials announce a $9 million, 20 percent increase in undergraduate financial aid that will result in at least $2,000 more in direct aid to nearly half of all undergraduates. Students are given a choice in applying the additional grant money to either reducing their loans or their work-study commitment.

18 - South African president and co-recipient of the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize Nelson Mandela speaks before 25,000 in Tercentenary Theatre, becoming the third person in Harvard's history to receive an honorary degree in a ceremony not linked to Commencement or the celebration of a University anniversary.

October 1998
Quincy House announces a trial period for universal keycard access. In the coming months, Cabot, Winthrop, Dunster and Lowell House follow suit.

November 1998
The Undergraduate Council announces the "discovery" of $40,000 in a forgotten bank account. The oversight is blamed on poor account procedures in past. The council pledges to use $25,000 of the funds to construct a new student center, but the initiative lacks support among University Hall administrators.