Harvard University has removed a resident dean from his position after a campus student outlet exposed a history of social media posts critical of police, “whiteness,” and conservative figures. The decision came amid growing scrutiny of academic bias and campus leadership standards.
Gregory Davis, who had served as the Allston Burr Resident Dean at Dunster House, was confirmed to no longer be in the role in an email from Harvard faculty deans, with Emilie Raymer named as his full-time replacement. Davis had been on leave during the controversy, and the university did not explicitly state that the posts were the cause of his removal, though the timing aligns with the uproar over his past comments.
The contested social media content resurfaced after being published by a student-run outlet and included posts dating from 2019 to 2024. In those posts, Davis allegedly made statements criticizing “Whiteness,” labeling police as racist or evil, and suggesting that rioting and looting were legitimate forms of democratic expression, among other provocative remarks.
Conservative observers have seized on the episode as further evidence of ideological imbalance in higher education, citing the posts as incompatible with the neutrality expected of university administrators who interact daily with a diverse student body. Critics also pointed to previous reporting in which Davis was said to have expressed controversial views about President Donald Trump and other figures, intensifying calls for accountability.
Harvard’s official communications have stopped short of linking the removal directly to the social media history, instead framing the transition as a routine appointment following Davis’s leave. Raymer, who previously served in an interim capacity, now assumes full responsibilities as resident dean.
The controversy intersects with broader national debates about academic freedom, administrative impartiality, and the role of personal social media conduct in professional qualifications. Supporters of the dismissal argue that deans must uphold standards that reflect respect for all students and law enforcement, while others caution against punitive measures for past expressions.
This development follows earlier campus tensions over free speech and ideological disputes at elite universities, including instances where faculty and staff faced criticism or disciplinary actions over public statements. Stakeholders on both sides continue to watch how institutions balance community values with open discourse.
