News
Abortion Rights in the U.S.
How history, the law, and recent elections have shaped access to abortion across the U.S.
Abortion has been a widely debated and often practiced medical procedure in the United States. For decades, reproductive rights, including abortion, were unregulated and largely ignored by law. However, by the 1860s, abortion bans were established at the state level, and in 1910 abortion was banned nationwide.In the past, banning abortion did not stop it […]
It’s a Love Story, Boston, Just Say Yes
A conversation with the owners of Boston’s pop-up romance bookstore.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single person in possession of the ability to read, must be in want of a good love story. Romance novels have seen a huge uptick in popularity recently, with sales doubling over the past five years. In 2022, popular romance author Colleen Hoover’s novels outsold the Bible. […]
Uncertain Futures
How the 2024 election is redefining activism and autonomy.
Nov. 5 was a pivotal day for the country. The 2024 U.S. presidential election was considered by many to be the most important national election of our lifetimes. For millions, this election was more than a political contest—it represented a pivotal moment for civil liberties, personal autonomy, and the safety of marginalized communities. Across the […]
The Top 100 Harvard Students
An anonymously published list aims to rank undergraduates.
With the great range of interests and accomplishments that come from Harvard students, considering any one student superior to another can seem like an unreasonable task. Taking on this challenge, someone has written a document that attempted to definitively list Harvard College’s supposed “Top 100 Students.” Ironically, this list only included 99 names. Clicking a […]
A Look Beyond the Books: Harvard Hidden Talents
A deep dive into Harvard students’ exceptional inner genius
They can be found everywhere on campus—filling the lecture halls, waiting in line at the dining hall, studying on the tenth floor of the Smith Campus Center. But behind the typical school routine, many Harvard students possess extraordinary talents. Concealed away in dorm rooms, rehearsal spaces, or back in their hometowns, these students have incredible […]
Harvard’s Treasure Trove
A look at some course recommendations—gems or otherwise!
At 4 p.m. on Oct. 23, an email appeared in every Harvard student’s inbox, stating: Spring 2025 Registration Opens on Nov. 6 at 9 a.m. — Begin preparing for registration now! Operating under a different timeline from past course registrations, Harvard College’s new system has met conflicted responses from students. Many students are unsure of […]
Forum
Dating Apps: Hook-up or Hang-up?
A chaste sophomore downloads Tinder to conduct interviews about dating apps and hookup culture at Harvard.
On Monday night, two hours after Indy storyboard ended, I downloaded Tinder. I chose my favorite photos that I felt depicted my best features: my silly personality and cheeky smile, obviously. Having heard the Tinder horror stories from my girl friends, I opted to make it clear in my bio that I was on the […]
A Guide to DFMO-ing
A slutted out sophomore breaks down executing the perfect dance floor makeout.
The dance floor makeout, or DFMO, is an art form. Whether you’re at a club, house party, concert, or even an outdoor festival rave, a successful DFMO requires extreme precision and immense skill. I, a DFMO enthusiast and self-proclaimed expert, am here to teach you how to perfect the act for your next night out. […]
Keeping it Casual
How much should you be thinking about your hookup buddy?
It’s 11 p.m. on a Thursday and your hookup buddy is on their way to your dorm. You’ve showered, cleaned your room (stuffed all the clutter in the closet), filled in your roommates, made sure the lighting is absolutely perfect, and put on an effortless outfit. After all, this is a random, meaningless hookup—you’ve both […]
Staying the Safest
A ranking of Harvard’s free contraception locations.
During the summer of 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States made the historic choice to overturn Roe v. Wade (1973). The landmark decision of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022) held that the Constitution does not confer a right to an abortion; instead, the decision to permit abortion would be decided by […]
What (Wo)Men Want
The sexual pressure women feel in the face of male desire.
He leads when dancing. She should follow. He is the one who asks her out. She should accept. He makes the first move. She should consent. The gendered standards between men and women inevitably place sexual power in his hands, and she is taught to be all too eager to comply. As women, we are […]
Losing it All
A reflection on the meaning of losing my virginity.
The first time I had sex, I started crying. It was delicately messy and awkwardly chaotic and uncomfortable, even with my loving boyfriend at the time. And it was undeniably painful, exacerbated by the all-encompassing stress I felt in the moment. In giving my body to someone else, it seemed like I had lost all […]
Arts
Elements of Desire
A porn script with chemistry and about chemistry.
1.INT. ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LAB – NIGHT An organic chemistry lab. It is dark and empty. A GORGEOUS HOT CHEMIST in a tight lab coat that hugs her curves is conducting an experiment in one of the fume hoods. Her MALE LAB PARTNER walks in, tepidly. The two have always had a flirty vibe. This is […]
Behind the Scenes with The Army, The Navy
Touring, creating, and evolving in the indie music scene
The Army, The Navy, an indie music duo made up of childhood friends Mia Cambriello and Sasha Goldberg, recently wrapped up their tour with pop musician Dora Jar. In our interview, they shared how their journey together began, what it was like touring with their idol, and the inspiration behind their songwriting process. The following […]
One of Many or One of a Kind?
A review of Tenoch’s new location in Harvard Square.
It’s no secret: Harvard Square has a lot of Mexican eateries. From late-night classics like El Jefe’s and Felipe’s to the more recently opened Achilito’s, satisfying that craving is easy. Yet in a market oversaturated with established competitors, Tenoch Mexican’s newest location on Mount Auburn Street (right where Jefe’s was two years ago) seeks to […]
Promoting Peace Through Art
Spotlight on Ukrainian artist Nikita Ivaniuta ’28.
Art and Activism At a school historically centered around a traditional liberal arts education consisting of classic humanities and STEM curricula, more creative communities, especially those within the fine arts, can be overlooked. The Independent interviewed Nikita Ivaniuta ’28, a first-year student from Ukraine who has used his art as a vessel for activism and […]
Anastasia: A Russian Princess’ Journey to Rediscovery
This fall’s student production of Anastasia holds a candle to the magic, wonder, and romance of the 1997 movie.
One step at a time. One hope, then another. Anastasia is an enchanting musical that explores the enduring mystery of Princess Anastasia Romanov through song, dance, and performance. The show follows a girl with an uncertain past, who teams up with two questionable con men as they try to escape St. Petersburg on a fateful […]
Ordering Mysterious Drinks
A reflection about boba.
When I drink boba, I think about my siblings. My sister Lucy sticks with the classics—black, jasmine, Earl Gray—all guaranteed to be very good. But my brother Jasper gets a little outlandish. He orders the wild, experimental drinks, like cheese and matcha yogurt with watermelon jelly—concoctions that feel like some sort of crime. Lucy and […]
Sports
Pre-Game Sex: Power Move or Energy Drain?
How getting it on before sports games affects sexual performance.
Among sports rituals that have been debated for centuries, pre-game sex stands the test of time. From the first ever athletes to modern Olympians, athletes have pondered the effects of sex before competition: does it build confidence and calm, or leave players distracted and drained? Dating back to the ancient Greeks, athletes would abstain from […]
Indy Sportsbook: Swipe Right Madness
In search of the hottest college mascot.
It’s the Sex Issue, and here at the Indy Sportsbook, we’re laying down odds on which mascots we’d most likely swipe right on—which ones we think are the best for a one-night stand. From swoon-worthy swagger to unexpected charm, these mascots bring more than just school spirit. Let’s dive into the top contenders, complete with […]
Indy Sportsbook: Banking on Big Performances
Two four-leg NFL bets for next weekend.
With the NFL season in full swing, next weekend’s matchups promise fireworks—and serious betting potential for the weekend warriors. This week, we’re breaking down two ambitious four-leg parlays: one stacked with player props from yardage to TDs, and another loaded with anytime touchdown scorers. These bets aim to combine high-caliber performers with favorable matchups, positioning […]
Sports Spotlight: James Rozolis-Hill
Junior water polo player goes down in Harvard history as an all-time record breaker
On Oct. 12, Harvard history was made in Blodgett Pool by water polo player James Rozolis-Hill ’26 as he scored his 283rd career goal in a home game against Brown. By the end of the first quarter, Harvard had already secured a 4-2 lead, and Rozolis-Hill had broken the record for all-time career goals in […]
Mind Games
Winning the mental competition before the physical one.
Being a student-athlete in any Division I program comes with its challenges, whether that be physical or mental. As a result, significant amounts of money are devoted to state-of-the-art athletic training programs to ensure athletes have the support they need for optimal well-being. An area that has recently gained focus is the mental health of […]
Harvard Hockey: No Turning Back
Harvard hockey forms a new identity after a rebuilding 2023 season.
Last year, Harvard men’s varsity hockey had seven wins in 32 games played. If I were a betting man, I’d hammer the over on seven wins for the upcoming season. Why? Two reasons: First, a win percentage of 22% is really, really bad. The San Jose Sharks, the worst team in the NHL last year […]