News & Notes: Harvard changes staff title

Harvard University has replaced the traditional staff title of “house master,” faculty in charge of residential colleges, with “faculty deans” this past Wednesday, according to the Harvard Crimson.

Initial conversations about the change surfaced in an email sent by Dean of Harvard College Rakesh Khurana to Harvard students dated Dec. 1.

In his email, Khurana noted that all Harvard House Masters at the time have unanimously expressed a desire to change their title. Additionally, their request has received the full support of President Drew Faust.

“The desire to change this title has taken place over time and has been a thoughtful one, rooted in a broad effort to ensure that the College's rhetoric, expectations and practices around our historically unique roles reflects and serves the 21st century needs of residential student life,” the letter read.

There are currently 24 staff at Harvard formerly known as ‘house masters.’