The U.S. military attacks Iraq with tomahawk cruise missiles and precision-guided bombs, beginning the conflict which continues to this day.

Kirby ousts Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis ’68. Lewis’ removal is part of a planned merger of the positions of dean of the College and dean of undergraduate education. Shortly after this announcement, Kirby offers the new deanship to then-Dean of Undergraduate Education Benedict H. Gross ’71.

Harvard bids $75 million for 91 acres of land in Allston owned by the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority. The land is covered by railway tracks, and the turnpike bisects the parcel. The land increases Harvard’s Allston holdings by a third.

April

Elena Kagan is appointed the next dean of Harvard Law School, becoming the first woman to occupy the post. Kagan came to Harvard in 2001 from Washington, D.C., where she worked in the Clinton Administration with University President Lawrence H. Summers as the deputy director of the Domestic Policy Council.

Graduate student of Slavic studies Alexander Pring-Wilson is arrested for allegedly stabbing and killing 18-year-old Michael Colono of Cambridge in an early morning fight outside Pizza Ring. Pring-Wilson said he was acting in self-defense.

Harvard bans travel to areas affected by SARS, including several east Asian nations and Toronto, Canada, affecting students’ summer and term-time study abroad plans.

May

The Core Office approves a version of Marglin’s new introductory economics class for Core Social Analysis credit. The class, however, will not take the place of Ec 10 for economics concentrators.

The Faculty approves the sexual assault policy proposed by the Leaning Committee, including the creation of a new office for sexual assault prevention and the use of an independent fact finder in Administrative Board investigations into accusations of sexual assault.

Summer

Harvard rescinds its offer of admission to Blair Hornstine. Hornstine gained national media attention after she sued her high school to become its sole valedictorian. She later was caught plagiarizing articles she wrote for a local newspaper.

Former Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III dies at 66, and former dean of the Faculty and history professor Franklin L. Ford dies at 82.

2003-2004

September