WHAT IS CLASSACT HR85?

Inspired by the ClassACT model developed by the Harvard-Radcliffe Class of 1973, ClassACT HR85 is short for Harvard-Radcliffe Class of 1985: Achieving Change Together.  At our virtual 35th reunion, which took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, classmates expressed both a desire to continue interacting with each other and enthusiasm for dedicating time to service-oriented activities.  The reunion events suggested that our class’s collective talents could be harnessed to support meaningful positive change during times of unprecedented challenges.

Since our reunion in 2020, and building on a survey of classmate interests, ClassACT HR85 has focused on several of society’s great challenges: climate and the environment, health disparity, and democracy protection, with a cross-cutting lens of how equity and social justice affect each of these concerns.  Addressing these themes, working groups have organized webinars and virtual discussions, partnered with classmate-led non-profits to tackle challenges, and created action-oriented goals and engaged Harvard to tackle them.

There is a growing number of ClassACT HR85 alumni groups which we coordinate, enriching both our individual experiences and the collective impact we are able to have at Harvard and around the world.

WHAT KEEPS US COMING BACK:

Benefits of participation in ClassACT HR85

• Find Purpose and Fulfillment: Engage in meaningful activities that nourish your spirit.

• Reconnect and Expand Your Network: Reconnect with old friends and build new relationships within the class.

• Participate in stimulating conversations based on shared interests: Participate in stimulating social interactions focused on shared goals.

• Rediscover the Joy of Learning Together: Relive the experience of undergraduate learning and value the collective wisdom of classmates.

• See Harvard with New Eyes: Gain a fresh perspective on the university's evolution and current challenges.

• Deepen Your Appreciation of Harvard: Learn from current faculty, academics, and fellow alumni.

• Gain New Access and Opportunities: Open doors to new connections and experiences.

• Address Critical Issues: Collaborate to tackle current challenges and misinformation.

• Enjoy Fun, Informative, and Meaningful Engagement: Join for enjoyable, educational, and impactful experiences.

WHAT WE’VE DONE

Over 5 years, ClassACT HR85 has:

1. Hosted virtual events, quarterly, that reached hundreds of attendees.

• Virtual book clubs with authors from the class of 1985 and Harvard faculty
• Expert panel discussions and moderated conversations with experts, engaging approximately two dozen classmates as presenters/panelists/moderators.

2. Established three working groups:

• The Climate Action Working Group decided to push Harvard to make good on President Bacow’s 2021 announcement that “Harvard must stand among world leaders
in addressing [the climate change] challenge.” Meeting monthly for more than  three years,  the working group developed a framework for Harvard to step up its intellectual leadership on climate with moonshot goals in six areas; formed an alliance and networking opportunities with six different alumni groups from other classes (including other ClassACTs); and has collaborated with Harvard administrators and faculty to pursue a moonshot.
• The Health Equity Working Group coalesced after organizing a virtual discussion in 2020 about the domestic and global COVID-19 responses and health equity and subsequently hosted 6 more virtual discussions.  Topics have included the health equity impacts of Climate Change, COVID-19 Vaccines, Gun Violence, the Decolonization of Global Health, Structural Racism, and Reproductive Health Justice in a Post-Roe America.
• The Democracy Protection Working Group was borne out of an on-line event discussing modern threats to democracy with a 1985 classmate working at Freedom House, and conducted a several-month study on how Freedom House could enhance its work on promoting democracy in the United States. 

3. Created a ClassACT HR85 steering committee to guide and grow the initiative and foster community – developing friendships and supporting each other.

JOIN US!

Join ClassACT HR85 to be notified of events and get access to the growing archive of event recordings, articles, and other information.  We are hoping to use this site as an important hub to stay connected with classmates.

JUST US

We created this as a safe space for us to promote events, share content and communicate with one another in a safe, secure and private way.  We have moved this community off of social media so that we have control over our community and the content that we share.