Thank you note

April 9, 2022
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The Executive Board and representatives of the Harvard Extension Student Association would like to formally thank the Harvard Undergraduate Council and the Harvard Graduate Council for vocally and overwhelmingly supporting the removal of the words “in Extension Studies” from the Harvard Extension School degrees and diplomas.

Both councils - representing the entire student body - passed similar bills calling to replace the words “in Extension Studies” with a student’s concentration. This action, one of the Harvard Undergraduate Council’s last unanimous legislations and one of the Graduate Council’s most ardently supported, demand that the Harvard Extension School diplomas and degrees be more on par with the other degrees at Harvard and, in turn, more representative of the years of work and dedication it takes to earn any Harvard degree from any Harvard school.

As the Crimson Editorial Board - another strong supporter of removing “in Extension Studies” - so elegantly stated, “From nearly two semesters of virtual learning, we have learned what Extension School students have known for years: that a Harvard education is not defined by fancy lecture halls, but by the content of its teaching and the dedication of its students.”

A Harvard education is a Harvard education - and by the university continuing to allow the words “in Extension Studies” to remain on the Harvard Extension School degrees and diplomas - and to not comment on the calls and years of protest to do the right thing - they say without words that they believe their own education from one school to the next is unequal. In silence and inaction, the university leadership continues to tarnish their own university’s value by devaluing the Harvard Extension degree and mission.

We, the Board of the Harvard Extension Student Association, are proud to be undergraduate and graduate students at Harvard University - we want all students to feel that pride while attending school and earning their degrees up until the day they hang their diploma on their wall and well into their undoubtedly bright future that a Harvard education has made possible for them.

The Harvard Extension Student Association thanks our supporters - from former Harvard Extension School Deans, students who protested throughout the last decade, to brave students proudly holding up “I Don’t Study Extensions” signs and telling their stories on social media and every student, alumni, professor, and staff member who has spoken out with their support. Everyone plays a part in this fight for what is right. And we thank you.

Harvard Leadership - now is the time to act - now is the time for change - now is the time to honor your century-old commitment to uplifting the students at Harvard University Extension. Now is the time to remove and replace “in Extension Studies” with a student’s concentration.

This is our hope - for us, for those who came before us, and for those thousands of proud Harvard Extension students who come after us.

Thank you.

The Harvard Extension Student Association

With the support of:

The Harvard Undergraduate Council

The Harvard Graduate Council

The Harvard Crimson Editorial Board