Class Rings at Harvard
As the oldest University in the United States, Harvard is a place rich with tradition. However, after over 300 years Harvard still lacks the tradition of a common class ring. Today, one can purchase a Harvard ring in many different sizes, shapes, and colors. You don't even have to be a Harvard student to buy a ring! Much of the confusion surrounding Harvard class rings stems from the fact that there are currently many vendors and many manufacturers for our rings.
Other One Ring Programs
Although the ring situation at Harvard is confusing, this is not the case at many other universities. A one ring program (where one design is adopted as a common and binding symbol of graduation) is something that many other schools have implemented in order to avoid confusion and to help unite students. One ring programs come in many variations, but they all serve the same purpose of creating a symbol for students and uniting the campus behind a new tradition.
Possibly one of the most successful one ring programs is that of MIT. MIT’s One Ring Program is hugely popular: attracting students' attention at unveiling ceremonies and drawing many ring design entries each year. 103% of MIT students buy a ring (some buy two). In addition to MIT, other schools around the country have begun to realize the benefits of having a single class ring: many of them even dedicate a weekend to the unveiling and presentation of the ring!
The Student-Sponsored Harvard One Ring Program
The Student-Sponsored One Ring Program was initiated during the 2003/2004 school year with the purpose of creating a single class ring designed shared by Harvard graduates. In this first year, the One Ring Board had the duty of creating several possible designs to present to the student body. After creating five different possiblities the designs were shown to the student body and put to a vote.
The Student-Sponsored One Ring Program started with the cooperation of two important student groups on campus: the Harvard Undergraduate Council and Harvard Student Agencies, Inc. Each group serves a different purpose:
Harvard Student Agencies, Inc. is a non-profit company with the goal of providing Harvard students with enriching business experiences, while at the same time defraying the rising cost of tuition. HSA employs over 500 students and pays out more than two million dollars in wages each year.
The Undergraduate Council is Harvard's student government: working to make life for students more enriching, more convenient, and safer. The UC serves as a voice for students and a link to the Harvard administration. It has has brought concerts to Harvard, promoted and implemented programs that help ensure a safe campus environment, and provided a myriad of services to students.
Benefits of the Student-Sponsored One Ring Program
The new One Ring Program will have many benefits for Harvard students and the Harvard community. The partnership formed for the One Ring Program will provide the following benefits:
