Sara Kumar

About Sara Kumar

News Editor Sara Kumar '27 studies History and Literature with a secondary in Education. From Chicago, when she is not editing articles, she can be found napping or spending her savings on iced vanilla lattes.

Articles written by Sara Kumar:

Harvard’s Hold on Housing

Cambridge’s recent zoning reform may reduce Harvard’s real-estate dominance and its negative effects on University affiliates.

Sara Kumar 02.20.25: Controversy, News

Across 17 freshman dormitories and 13 upperclassmen residential buildings, Harvard undergraduates have the privilege of guaranteed housing during their four years on campus. However, graduate students, faculty, and University affiliates struggle to find housing as Harvard’s property acquisitions distort the Cambridge and Allston markets. Harvard University Housing owns approximately 2,900 apartments and 100 buildings, serving […]

Coming Up at the Institute of Politics

A look into Spring 2025 and beyond at the IOP after their record-breaking application season.

Kalvin Frank, Rania Jones and Sara Kumar 02.13.25: The Love Issue, News

The Harvard Institute of Politics brought in record-breaking application numbers for the Spring 2025 semester. As of Feb. 10, the IOP received 788 applications across its 16 programs—including nearly 200 first-time submissions. At such a critical juncture in American and global politics, this growth speaks to a rising interest in civic leadership and public service […]

Queue the Cameras: The Struggle for Gender Equality in Sports Media

A look at how a lack of coverage and stereotypical portrayals of female athletes perpetuates sexism in sports.

Sara Kumar 02.06.25: Frozen Over, Forum

On Jan. 14 and 21, four Boston-area collegiate women’s ice hockey teams competed in their biggest tournament of the season: the Beanpot. Bringing together students from Boston University, Boston College, Harvard, and Northeastern, this renowned athletic event has been occurring annually since 1952. However, while the Men’s Beanpot around two weeks later is accompanied by […]

News and Views: We Want Your Voice

This budding column brings your voice to topical news.

Rania Jones, Sara Kumar and Gauri Sood 02.06.25: Frozen Over, Forum

Joan Didion begins her 1979 book The White Album with a striking assertion: “We tell ourselves stories in order to live.” In journalism, op-eds—short for “opposite the editorial page”—are where these stories take shape. Such narratives aren’t neutral reports on events but a fusion of arguments, perspectives, and deeply felt convictions. The most salient narratives […]

Diversity on Trial

Experts offer their thoughts on the sharp decline in Black student enrollment in Harvard Law School’s JD Class of 2027.

Sara Kumar 1.30.25: Ins and Outs, News

Harvard Law School’s mission statement offers a glimpse at the central tenets of the institution’s academic experience: “The unique strength of our community is that it brings together, from around the world, so many exceptionally talented people of different backgrounds, lived experiences, interests, ambitions, approaches, methodologies, and perspectives.” However, after the number of Black enrollees […]

What We’re Watching

A list of book, show, and movie recommendations from the Harvard Independent staff.

Sara Kumar 1.30.25: Ins and Outs, Arts

The past month has been filled with long-awaited releases across the publishing and film industries. Like the majority of college students over winter recess, the staff of the Harvard Independent took full advantage of our Canvas-free lull by diving into such binge-worthy narratives. Now that the start of spring semester and the inevitable need for […]

The Ins and Outs of Wintersession

A look into the range of programming offered to Harvard College students in January.

Sara Kumar 12.05.24: The Holiday Issue, News

After the fall semester’s final papers, exams, and projects have ended, there is a brief academic lull before the spring semester begins. While some students spend their extended holiday break with family, catching up on sleep, or re-planting their hometown roots, a select population participates in Wintersession. Wintersession at Harvard, colloquially known as “J-Term,” is […]

Sports Spotlight: Leo Li

A glimpse into the life of Harvard football’s newest walk-on.

Sara Kumar 11.21.24: The Game, Sports

Collegiate sports are a true testament to athletic ability and lifelong dedication to a singular sport. Summer training camps, recruiting events, and highlight reels are an arduous reality for many American teenagers set on actualizing their dreams of receiving a D1 offer. However, raised in Beijing, immersed in a completely different environment than that of […]

“We’re Not Going Back”

A profile on Harvard Students for Harris and their promotion of Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign.

Sara Kumar 10.24.24: The Political Issue, News

“Personal freedoms.” “Access to education.” “Affordable healthcare.” Three Harvard students voiced reasons for supporting Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming 2024 presidential election in a reel on the Harvard Students for Harris Instagram. Originally known as Harvard for Biden in 2020 and again in 2024, Harvard Students for Harris was officially rebranded by co-presidents […]

Meet the Class of 2028

Harvard releases a surprising Class of 2028 racial profile following the Supreme Court’s 2023 strike down of affirmative action.

Sara Kumar 09.19.24: Falling Apart, News

In the wake of the June 2023 Supreme Court ruling addressing race-conscious college admissions, Harvard College’s Class of 2028 is of national interest. Since preserving diversity in American education is essential for high-quality instruction and the democratic strength of our nation, the College is at the forefront of this discussion. “Everyone wants to know, how […]