This is not the first time an Extension School student has posed as an undergraduate.
In the fall of 1999, Edward F. Meinert registered as an Extension School student and joined Sigma Chi and the Harvard International Relations Council.
Although Harvard filed no complaints against Meinert, his identity was revealed when he was charged with theft and fraud for illegally financing a spring break trip with a friend’s Social Security number while attending George Washington University.
Queen said the two cases are “totally unrelated” and “extremely rare,” considering that the Extension School currently enrolls 13,000 students.
“Occasionally we get someone who wishes they were studying in Harvard College and simply doesn’t take advantage of what we have to offer,” Queen said. “For someone to say they’re a Harvard College student when they’re really in the Extension School we think shows poor respect for both schools.”
—Staff writer Jenifer L. Steinhardt can be reached at steinhar@fas.harvard.edu.