History of the HDD Initiative (formerly the RCD Initiative)

The idea of the RCD Initiative arose from discussions among representatives of the student cultural organizations affiliated with the Harvard Foundation. Concerned about the lack of a forum for addressing issues of diversity within the Houses and Dorms, these representatives called a meeting with the Race Relations Tutors of each House in the spring of 2002. Although the Houses had been required to appoint a resident tutor to this position for over a decade, the students soon discovered that the title had become little more than a formality in recent years. The tutors received no training for their role, nor were most given guidance about how to carry out their responsibilities. Furthermore, all those involved realized that something more was needed in the Houses. In the past, issues of diversity and difference were addressed only in response to overt incidences of prejudice and discrimination. Dialogue about diversity in residential spaces was needed in a proactive form. The Race, Culture and Diversity Initiative was created to meet this need at Harvard. Every year, the RCD Initiative creates a space in the Houses and Dorms for dialogue around issues of identity and perspective such as ability, class, gender, race, religion, and sexual orientation.