Kamal Ghorui
Harvard University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is moving forward with a proposal to collaborate with peer institutions to expand instruction in less commonly taught languages, according to The Harvard Crimson. The plan, known as the Shared Course Initiative (SCI), would allow students to enroll in language courses offered by partner universities including Yale University, Columbia University, and Cornell University. Under the proposal, students would be able to take courses not available on their home campus through a cross-registration system. Classes would be conducted using teleconferencing, along with in-person participation at the respective institutions.
Pilot programme to begin in 2026
According to The Harvard Crimson, the FAS Foreign Language Advisory Group has proposed a two-year pilot programme with Columbia starting in fall 2026. Harvard would both offer and receive at least one language course during the pilot phase. If successful, the University would enter a five-year agreement to fully participate in the initiative beginning in 2028. The proposal has been approved unanimously by the FAS Faculty Council.
Focus on less commonly taught languages
Administrators said the initiative aims to expand language offerings while addressing challenges related to low enrollment in certain courses. Many less commonly taught languages at Harvard are currently offered as tutorials, often serving one or two students and requiring significant faculty resources. Under the SCI model, courses could enroll up to 12 students across participating institutions. Students would receive Harvard credit and grades even when courses are taught by partner universities. Roughly one-third of the languages available through the initiative are not currently offered at Harvard, The Harvard Crimson reported. These include languages such as Finnish, Ukrainian, Zulu, Punjabi, Cherokee, and Khmer. Harvard may contribute courses in languages including Uyghur, Chaghatay, and those offered through its African Languages Program, according to Vice Provost for International Affairs Mark C. Elliott.
Financial pressures behind the move
The proposal comes amid financial challenges within the FAS. The division reported a projected structural budget deficit of $365 million last year. The FAS has also reduced budgets for non-tenure-track faculty by 25 percent across divisions. Language programmes are among those affected, as they rely significantly on such faculty. A University-wide hiring freeze and limits on term appointments have added to the constraints. According to the proposal cited by The Harvard Crimson, tutorial-based language offerings cost Harvard approximately $440,000 in fall 2024 alone.
Faculty raise concerns
During a faculty meeting on Tuesday, some professors expressed concerns about the potential impact of the initiative. Alison Frank Johnson, Chair of the Germanic Languages and Literatures department, said the programme could be used to justify reducing in-house language instruction. She referred to the Scandinavian programme, which currently has a single time-capped preceptor. FAS spokesperson James M. Chisholm declined to comment on the concerns.
Administration response
Vice Provost Mark C. Elliott said the initiative is intended to complement existing language offerings and not replace them. “Courses in the Shared Course Initiative cannot take the place of Harvard language instruction that’s already here, so this is not going to remove anybody from their current position,” he said during the meeting, as reported by The Harvard Crimson. He added that the exchange would be limited to less commonly taught languages.
