# Home Page ## Curiosity. Dialogue. Discovery. Imagine a campus where ideas spark, conversations thrive, ideas are challenged, and everyone—students, faculty, staff—feels free to speak up, listen, and learn from one another with open minds. That’s what Intellectual Vitality is all about at Harvard College. ![Sanders Theatre transept, illuminated in blue and red lights.](/sites/g/files/omnuum13021/files/styles/hwp_21_9__1920x825/public/2026-07/11-2024_SandersElectionNight_JY-5%20Large.jpeg?itok=FxK_JNe-) ## What Is Intellectual Vitality? It’s not just a phrase—it’s our commitment to a campus culture where curiosity is expected, tough questions are welcome, and diverse perspectives are the backbone of who we are. At its heart, Intellectual Vitality is about keeping our minds open and our discussions real. It’s the thrill of debating big ideas (no matter how big or small) with rigor, the kindness of assuming the best in each other, and the courage to explore beyond our comfort zones. Whether in the classroom, over a meal together, or during a late-night chat, we’re building a culture that celebrates honest inquiry and respectful disagreement. Because we believe that wrestling with ideas—together—is how we learn and grow. *“\[Intellectual vitality\] is also a matter of what do we owe to one another? What do we expect of one another? Are we assuming someone’s best intentions?”* Ari Kohn ’26 Intellectual Vitality’s mission also relates closely to the work of several other initiatives and offices within Harvard College, for example, the [Mattering Initiative](https://dso.college.harvard.edu/dso-special-project-initiatives-mattering-initiative) through the Dean of Students Office, the critical role of the [Peer Advising Fellows](https://advising.college.harvard.edu/peer-advising-fellows/) administered by the Advising Programs Office within the Office of Undergraduate Education, and the [Intercollegiate Civil Disagreement Partnership](https://www.ethics.harvard.edu/ICDP-fellowship) through the Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Ethics ## Harvard’s Hierarchy of Needs To make sense of its standing in relation to the work of these other groups, Intellectual Vitality envisions itself as part of a pyramidal relationship, partly modeled on Maslow’s ‘Hierarchy of Needs’. In this scheme, any civil discourse or Intellectual Vitality that might arise from Harvard is built on a foundation of social trust and shared culture. Supported by this base of common culture, community members are able to cultivate the intellectual virtues, which support a culture of Intellectual Vitality. Finally, and within a common culture steeped in the intellectual virtues, can civil discourse be employed to work through disagreements and differences of opinion found in the classroom, residential communities, and social clubs and organizations. ### View the Hierarchy expand\_more ![A pyramid labeled Harvard's Hierarchy of Needs, with culture, intellectual virtues, and civil discourse.](/sites/g/files/omnuum13021/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/2026-07/IV-Pyramid-1024x791.jpg?itok=SZPvPwXH) [ Learn About Our Commitment arrow\_circle\_right ](/our-commitment) [ Read the Harvard College Intellectual Vitality Statement arrow\_circle\_right ](/about) ### Strengthening Intellectual Vitality through Visitas Debates Harvard College students discuss their experiences with the Visitas Debate and how that contributes to Intellectual Vitality on campus. [ Watch the Video arrow\_circle\_right ](https://youtu.be/reagOXT7SJk?si=IhiZuxtIOC5AgP0C) ![A lecture hall full of students watch a debate.](/sites/g/files/omnuum13021/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2026-07/Visitas2025_DebateImage_Color.png?itok=QLF3Vnkm) ## Get Involved Want to join the conversation? Reach out to anyone on the team to bring Intellectual Vitality to your student group, organization, or department. Curious about the academic side? Reach out to [Matthew Sohm](mailto:msohm@fas.harvard.edu) at the Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning for academic questions, teaching tips, and pedagogical support. [ Meet the Team arrow\_circle\_right ](https://intellectualvitality.college.harvard.edu/about/#team) ### Follow Us on Instagram Follow @intellectualvitality to see Intellectual Vitality in action. [ Intellectual Vitality on Instagram arrow\_circle\_right ](https://www.instagram.com/intellectualvitality/) ![A group of four students stand together.](/sites/g/files/omnuum13021/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2026-07/HCWC-UN_031725_0050-1024x889-2.jpg?itok=o0EFgfqD) ## Recent News [### (Re)Discovering Wonder at Visitas ](/news/2026/05/rediscovering-wonder-visitas) May 26, 2026 ![A panel of sits in front of a classroom audience.](/sites/g/files/omnuum13021/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-06/Rediscovering-Wonder-IV_thumbnail.png?itok=WKuD53ed) [### Under Deming, Harvard’s Intellectual Vitality Initiative Takes a New Shape ](https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2026/4/30/intellectual-vitality-under-deming/) April 30, 2026 ![Groups of people walking around campus](/sites/g/files/omnuum13021/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-07/demingarticle.jpg?itok=Mo4wMDup) [### Challenging Thought Through Thesis ](https://college.harvard.edu/about/news/challenging-thought-through-thesis) April 29, 2026 ![Student stands in front of a hierarchy diagram.](/sites/g/files/omnuum13021/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-06/Challenging-Thought-Through-Thesis_IV-Thumbnail.jpg?itok=p5attrj0) [### Ethics of Disability Accommodation ](/news/2026/04/ethics-disability-accommodation) April 22, 2026 ![Group of people sitting in a circle in a discussion](/sites/g/files/omnuum13021/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-07/admin-ajax.png?itok=d0pMoYoJ) [### A Special Edition of Berg Banter ](/news/2026/02/special-edition-berg-banter) February 25, 2026 ![Two people speaking to a larger group of students](/sites/g/files/omnuum13021/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-07/admin-ajax%20%281%29.png?itok=7cJWiQ9I) [### Overseer Candidate Arti Garg Says Open Dialogue Key at Harvard ](https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2026/2/25/arti-garg-overseer-candidate/) February 25, 2026 ![Photo of a young woman with a mountainous backdrop](/sites/g/files/omnuum13021/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-07/061249_1384145.jpeg.1500x970_q95_crop-smart_upscale.jpg?itok=2XdUtY1f) [### Let Faculty Have Their Say ](https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2026/1/10/chiocco-garber-podcast/) January 10, 2026 ![Photo overlooking Sever building](/sites/g/files/omnuum13021/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-07/192803_1370140.jpg.1500x1000_q95_crop-smart_upscale.jpg?itok=kxT2PXWP) [### For Campus Speech, Civility is a Cultural Practice ](https://www.harvardmagazine.com/commentary/harvard-campus-speech-book-review-rakesh-khurana?utm_source=email&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_term=monthly&utm_content=1884-cannibalism-still-has-harvard-talking&utm_campaign=121725) December 10, 2025 ![Male student with a cap and gown surrounded by fellow protesters](/sites/g/files/omnuum13021/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-07/hm_jf26_art_page_19_image_0001.jpeg?itok=tfrZ0Bp1) [### Building momentum on open inquiry ](https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2025/11/building-momentum-on-open-inquiry/) November 17, 2025 ![Tomiko Brown-Nagin (center) and other scholars discussing around a circular table](/sites/g/files/omnuum13021/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-07/open-inquiry-radcliffe-1280.jpg?itok=aTbt3EEn) [### Princeton leader defends campus free speech efforts amid ‘civic crisis’ ](https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2025/11/princeton-leader-defends-campus-free-speech-efforts-amid-civic-crisis/?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Gazette%2020251113%20(1)&spMailingID=36098892&spUserID=NzE5MDUzMDQwNzAS1&spJobID=3023434127&spReportId=MzAyMzQzNDEyNwS2) November 12, 2025 ![David Deming and Christopher Eisgruber.](/sites/g/files/omnuum13021/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-07/free-speech-1920.jpg?itok=12ZE6Ud2) [### The Good Life ](/news/2025/11/good-life) November 12, 2025 ![Three people facing a crowd](/sites/g/files/omnuum13021/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-07/Screenshot%202026-07-07%20at%203.47.11%20PM.png?itok=Htep5b4-) [### We Lead the Intellectual Vitality Initiative. Harvard Needs To Set Its Standards Higher. ](https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2025/11/7/intellectual-vitality-grade-deflation-report/) November 07, 2025 ![Johnson Gate in the autumn](/sites/g/files/omnuum13021/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-07/175907_1379729.jpg.1499x1000_q95_crop-smart_upscale.jpg?itok=ctMFgLaZ) arrow\_back arrow\_forward [ View All News arrow\_circle\_right ](/all-news)