Harvard Ends LGBTQ + First-Gen Tutor Roles

By: Paul Goldberg, Senior Editor | JRL CHARTS – LGBT Politics USA

CAMBRIDGE, MA — (August 24, 2025) — Harvard College has announced it will no longer maintain residential proctors and tutors specifically designated to support LGBTQ or first-generation, low-income students. Instead, the school is folding those responsibilities into a new, catch-all “Culture and Community” role.

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Harvard Restructures Student Support Roles

The change was disclosed in an internal email from Associate Dean of Students Lauren E. Brandt, who framed the move as part of a restructuring designed to “foster cultivation of bonds and bridges” across campus. Critics argue it effectively erases dedicated advocacy for marginalized students who relied on the specialized roles for guidance and representation.

Erasure of LGBTQ + FGLI Support

For more than 25 years, Harvard Houses appointed BGLTQ tutors to create affirming spaces. These tutors hosted movie nights, discussion groups, and even “Queer Café” events that became cornerstones of student life. Under the new system, those distinct roles are gone — replaced by generalized “Culture and Community” advisors.

The new position description makes no mention of LGBTQ or FGLI students, raising concerns that identity-specific support has been deliberately sidelined. Some House websites still list the old titles, underscoring the abruptness of the change.

Part of a Larger DEI Rollback

The decision follows Harvard’s July consolidation of its Women’s Center, Office for BGLTQ Student Life, and Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations into a single Harvard Foundation, now managed under the new Office of Culture and Community.

This restructuring comes amid escalating political pressure. In April, President Donald Trump’s administration froze billions in federal research funding, demanding Harvard dismantle its DEI programming. Although the university sued, administrators have quietly scrubbed language about diversity and ended official Commencement ceremonies for affinity groups, including LGBTQ graduates.

Student & Staff Backlash

At a College-wide residential staff training, former associate dean Alta Mauro fielded questions about the changes. Tutors pressed why LGBTQ and FGLI programming — which had always been open to all students — needed to be stripped of their titles. Mauro argued the rebrand ensures inclusivity, but critics saw it as another example of Harvard distancing itself from equity programming.

Harvard spokesperson Jonathan Palumbo did not respond for a request for to comment to JRL CHARTS.

JRL CHARTS Context: Harvard’s Pattern

This isn’t the first time Harvard has landed in JRL CHARTS LGBT Politics coverage. Earlier this year, we reported on:

Harvard’s quiet scrubbing of DEI websites before rebranding under the “Harvard Foundation.”
The administration’s decision to end Commencement funding for LGBTQ and FGLI groups, sparking protests.
Legal battles with the Trump White House over frozen federal research funds tied to diversity programs.

Taken together, the elimination of LGBTQ and FGLI tutor titles signals a broader retreat from explicit identity-based support at one of the world’s most influential universities.

As Harvard reshapes its student support system, many wonder what’s next — and whether dedicated spaces for marginalized students will ever return.

Follow JRL CHARTS LGBT Politics USA for continuing coverage of Harvard University, DEI rollbacks, and LGBTQ student rights across America.

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