Harvard Pledge Values ‘Kindness’ Over Learning: Virginia Postrel

Sept. 16 (Bloomberg) -- When the members of the class of2015 arrived at Harvard College this fall, they encountered anovel bit of moral education. Their dorm proctors -- the gradstudents who live with freshmen to provide guidance and enforcediscipline -- invited each student to sign a pledge developed bythe Freshman Dean’s Office. It reads, in full:

“At Commencement, the Dean of Harvard College announces tothe President, Fellows, and Overseers that ‘each degreecandidate stands ready to advance knowledge, to promoteunderstanding, and to serve society.’ That message serves as akind of moral compass for the education Harvard College imparts.In the classroom, in extracurricular endeavors, and in the Yardand Houses, students are expected to act with integrity,respect, and industry, and to sustain a community characterizedby inclusiveness and civility.