Alan Garber and Brian Lee discuss the University’s gift policy
Provost Alan Garber and Brian Lee, vice president of Alumni Affairs and Development, discuss the critical role of philanthropic support at Harvard and the principles behind Harvard’s gift policy. Q&A Alan Garber and Brian Lee GAZETTE: Harvard has traditionally enjoyed a great deal of engagement and financial support from alumni and donors. Can you tell us why Harvard needs gifts? What role does philanthropy play in the University’s teaching and research mission? GARBER: At its core, Harvard is a research university. People don’t always realize that research universities are built upon the conviction that the combination of cutting-edge research and student education leads to better research and better education. Because conducting an inquiry at such an advanced level is a complicated and inherently expensive enterprise, philanthropy is absolutely essential. Our current work on coronavirus is a great example. When the pandemic began, many members of our life sciences community knew they had something to contribute....