HARVARD UNIVERSITY

On February 6, 2026, students in SPANSH 11 were directed to evaluate the clothing brand Joe Hawkins Bogotá as a sustainable design case study. That same day, at 12:51pm, you wrote to President Alan Garber to raise concerns. At 6:07pm, President Garber responded. His response asked Dean Amanda Claybaugh to be in touch with you directly, and noted that Dean Sean Kelly had been included so that he is aware. On February 13, you met in person with Dean Claybaugh and Dean Lauren Kaminsky simultaneously. The Committee considers this meeting the conclusion of the review process. You have not heard back since. The brand's catalogue, reviewed in full below, informed our determination.

Joe Hawkins Bogotá stands among the most consequential voices in contemporary Colombian fashion. Few designers have so boldly traversed the distance between the novelty gift shop and the geopolitical, often within a single product drop. Our reviewers approached the catalogue with the seriousness it demands.

A masterwork of range. Confirms a creative sensibility that moves fluidly between ethnic party merchandise and calls for territorial elimination, often within the same product page.

The arrow functions simultaneously as accusation, confession, and spatial philosophy. Our semiotics reviewer noted the piece "rewards repeat viewings."

The opening clause demonstrates genuine receptivity. The closing clause demonstrates range.

Evidence of a maturing artistic vision. At $24.43 per shirt, the price point is admirably accessible.

The Committee was unanimous.

The course was designed by María Luisa Parra-Velasco, Senior Preceptor in Spanish and Spanish Language Program Director, whose scholarly work centers on "decolonial theoretical and pedagogical frameworks" and empowering students to become "agents of change." It was taught by Jinsol Jeong. The Committee notes this as an efficient division of labor: one to build the syllabus, one to assign the t-shirts.

Dr. Parra-Velasco's curriculum begins, as all great intellectual journeys must, with "¿Dónde está la biblioteca?" Students will not learn until the following semester how to locate the section of the library catalogued under Decolonial Fashion Accessories. The Committee considers this a pedagogically sound sequencing decision. One must first find the library.

Her scholarly contributions to the teaching of Spanish via Colombian t-shirt company speak for themselves. The Committee declines to say what they speak.

Jewish students were offered a particularly immersive opportunity to reflect on identity, belonging, and change. Change was certainly experienced.

Her office hours are Tuesdays 10–12, Spring 2020.¹

President Garber responded to your letter within six hours, which the Committee notes as exemplary response time. His response confirmed that Dean Claybaugh had been asked to be in touch directly, and that Dean Sean Kelly had been included so that he is aware. The Committee wishes to commend the President's commitment to awareness. This concludes the Presidential engagement portion of our review.

Regarding your characterization of the merchandise as politically objectionable: Harvard deeply values a multiplicity of perspectives, and our faculty exercise broad academic freedom in designing course materials that reflect the full range of human experience. It would be inappropriate for this office to substitute its judgment for that of Dr. Parra-Velasco, whose scholarly contributions to the teaching of Spanish via Colombian t-shirt company speak for themselves. The Committee declines to say what they speak.

Your concerns were received by President Garber, who was busy. They were forwarded to Dean Amanda Claybaugh, who was asked to be in touch directly and was. They were also brought to the attention of Dean Sean Kelly, so that he is aware. He is. On February 13, you met in person with Dean Claybaugh and Dean Lauren Kaminsky. The meeting was held. Notes were taken. Awareness was achieved. You have not heard back since. The Committee considers this a complete institutional response.

Harvard remains committed to being a place where all students feel welcome, valued, and reluctant to complain a third time.

We look forward to seeing you at your residential house's upcoming Taco Tuesday celebration. Please note that kosher options are not provided, but we are told the guacamole is excellent.