Randy J. Gomes and Suzanne M. Pomey, both of the Class of 2002, are charged with grand larceny after allegedly stealing thousands of dollars from the Hasty Pudding Theatricals in 2001. Pomey was the producer of 2001 show and Gomes assistant directed the high-profile Man and Women of the Year awards.

House Masters vote to extend universal keycard access to 2:30 a.m. in all the Houses on a trial basis for the spring term, despite some Masters’ lingering reservations about safety.

K. Anthony Appiah, a leading member of the Afro-American studies department, turns in his resignation to University officials and will leave Harvard for Princeton in the fall of 2002, raising concerns that other stars of the department will follow his lead. Appiah cites personal reasons.

February

Knowles announces he will step down from his position as Dean of the Faculty at the end of this academic year to return to teaching. He has served as dean for 11 years.

March

Two leaders of Latino student groups say they are upset after meeting with Summers during his office hours to discuss the future of Latino studies at Harvard. They allege Summers was unwilling to actively discuss the future of Latino studies. The University strongly contests the students’ account of the meeting.

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences unanimously approves reducing the number of Core requirements by one, from eight to seven, to give students more freedom to take electives, including freshman seminars.

Harvard nears an agreement about its financial obligations to Watertown, where Harvard purchased a 30-acres office complex in 2001. Under the agreement, Harvard would pay Watertown over $3 million annually. Watertown leaders were initially upset because Harvard’s purchase could take the complex off the property tax rolls.

April

Black and Latino student groups from throughout the University gather more than 400 signatures urging West to stay at Harvard. West was then considering an offer by Princeton to join its faculty. He eventually decides to leave Harvard for Princeton.

Undergraduate Council President Lee informs the council that hip-hop group OutKast will not perform at Harvard at a proposed May concert, despite the efforts of the Harvard Concert Commission. Lee cites the band’s recent increase in booking rate and the short notice for the concert date. A replacement concert is later cancelled as well.

May

Thirty-nine Harvard professors join a petition calling for the University to divest from companies that do business in Israel. The joint Harvard-MIT petition argues that universities should not invest in Israel until Israel ends its occupation of Palestinian territories and stops alleged human rights abuses.

The Faculty unanimously approves major changes to study abroad requirements, easing the process of application and approval. The Faculty also approves an Administrative Board policy that requires corroborating evidence to launch an investigation of peer disputes—including sexual assault cases.