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Peter in 'PolicyMic' on Harvard Freshman Pledge

by

Robert Shibley

September 12, 2011

FIRE's Peter Bonilla has a new article in PolicyMic today discussing Harvard College's "Class of 2015 Freshman Pledge," which, as Peter points out, "asks incoming freshmen to sign a statement saying that they are 'expected to act with integrity, respect, and industry, and to sustain a community characterized by inclusiveness and civility.'"

In its 375-year-long history, Harvard has never asked any of its students to sign a pledge to uphold certain values, as former Dean of Harvard College Harry Lewis pointed out in his own blog entry on the subject. Is that a tradition worth preserving, or does such a pledge come 375 years too late? I invite you to read Peter's article and decide for yourself.