The Human Resources Program was established in the Office of the Vice-President for Alumni Affairs and Development, ca. 1978, to systematically identify Harvard alumni, alumnae, or friends who were either not known to Harvard or not already involved with the University. Such individuals were sought not only for contributions of gifts to Harvard, but also for contributions of talent or leadership. The work was carried out in cooperation with the the Associated Harvard Alumni.
The Alumni Affairs and Development Standing Committee was the catalyst for the creation of the Human Resources Program. The Board of Overseers established this committee in May 1978 to help improve relations between the Harvard Alumni Association and the University Development Office and to encourage broader and consistent alumni involvement with the University.
The Alumni Affairs and Development Standing Committee itself was created in response to one of the recommendations made in a 1978 report from the Committee on the Structure and Function of the Board of Overseers Concerning Harvard's Governmental Structure. The Committee on Structure was also known as the Gilbert Committee. Two of the Standing Committee's purposes were to improve relations between the Harvard Alumni Association and the University Development Office and to encourage broader and consistent alumni involvement in the University.
From the guide to the Records of the Human Resources Program, 1975-1981 (inclusive), 1978-1979 (bulk), (Harvard University Archives)
