Shots In The Dark: At Harvard, Change Is Gonna Come

Thursday, July 13, 2024

At Harvard, Change Is Gonna Come

No, wait—it's here.

Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2024 15:58:11 -0400
To: "House Masters":;
From: Benedict Gross
Subject: Announcement

Dear Colleagues:

I write with the news that Pat O'Brien will be taking a personal
leave of absence from the College, effective August 1, 2006.

Pat accomplished a remarkable amount in her two years as Deputy
Dean. Working closely with me, Pat recruited a talented staff and
led the senior staff in developing common goals and priorities. The
current initiatives to create better student programs and community
space - from the cafe in Lamont, to the student organization center
in Hilles, to the pub in Loker Commons - would never have advanced
without her efforts. Pat was also instrumental in establishing the
new Office for Advising Programs, the on-line registration and
enrollment systems, and the funding for the new summer programs in
science and engineering.

During her leave, Pat will continue to serve in the role as
Co-Master of Currier House with her husband, Joe Badaracco.

I am grateful for her dedicated service to our students and faculty.
The College will miss her.

Benedict H. Gross
Leverett Professor of Mathematics
Dean of Harvard College

¶ 5:05 PM

Comments:

... and?

# posted by Anonymous : 10:21 PM

Note Gross puts the pub and the cafe (which displaced the reference room) before the academic "achievements", laughably minor as they are. So far from "recuiting a talented staff", she drove out Harvard College's most talented staff. If he really believes any of this guff, he should follow her out the door.

# posted by Anonymous : 10:37 PM

Gross's letter is just one in a long line of letters Harvard has circulated about people who have been sacked. Each one of these letters scrapes the bottom of the barrel and manages to find something good to say. Fact is, Pat O'Brien had a pernicious influence in University Hall, and it's a good thing she no longer holds a position there.

# posted by Anonymous : 8:08 AM

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