Harvard dorm leaders who previously went by "house master" will now be referred to as "faculty deans" after the former term has come under attack for being historically tied to slavery, according to the Associated Press. The swap was announced on Wednesday by college officials who attempted to make clear to students that the phrase comes from Harvard's academic history rather than being based in racism.
Students at Harvard and other universities such as Yale and Princeton have objected to the use of the term, which they claim is reminiscent of terms linked to slavery, according to Boston.com. The phrase will be phased out and replaced with "faculty dean" by December and was unanimously supported by the residential leaders, according to the Boston Globe.
A letter that was circulated around the school by Edgerly Family Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Michael D. Smith explained the change as a result of input received through meetings and debates on campus. Smith acknowledged confusion regarding the term's heritage but emphasized that it was misunderstood and that there is no "direct connection" between the phrase "house master" and "slavery," as the term comes from the European term for teacher or head of household.
"This title reflects our House leaders' high standing in the joint academic and administrative hierarchy of the College and is easily understood by prospective students and their families, who might not (yet!) be deeply familiar with Harvard College's residential system," Smith wrote in the email, which was obtained by the Boston Globe.
"I want to emphasize that a decision to change does not necessarily mean that what came before was wrong," the letter went on. "The academic context of the term has always been clear. Many alumni will remember House leaders as the Master of their beloved House, and they should have no qualms doing so."
