Below is a list of key University-wide policies. For policies specific to a certain School, please refer to the resources section of our webpage.
Summary of Relevant University Policies on Speech
The foundational policy is the University-Wide Statement on Rights and Responsibilities (“the Statement”), adopted in 1970. In brief, the Statement affirms the rights of Harvard community members to “convene and conduct public meetings, publicly demonstrate and picket in orderly fashion, advocate and publicize opinion by print, sign, and voice.” These rights, however, exist alongside freedom of speech and academic freedom, freedom from personal force and violence, and freedom of movement. These freedoms encompass the ability of members to perform normal duties and activities (e.g., teaching or attending a class). Interference with any of these freedoms will be regarded as “a serious violation of personal rights upon which the community is based.” Thus, an individual may not exercise the right to demonstrate and protest in a way that violates any of these freedoms of others (e.g., a counterprotest that attempts to shut down or disrupt another protest). The Statement further provides that it is the responsibility of all community members to maintain an atmosphere in which violations of rights are unlikely to occur and to uphold the rights and responsibilities expressed therein.
In 2002, in conjunction with a statement by the President and Deans in response to a series of building occupations, the University adopted an “Interpretation” making clear that it is implicit in the Statement that “intense personal harassment of such a character as to amount to grave disrespect for the dignity of others be regarded as an unacceptable violation of the personal rights on which the University is based.”
In 2024, in conjunction with a statement by the Interim President and Deans on University Rights and Responsibilities, the University issued further guidance for those who seek to understand how the Statement applies to planned expressive activity and for the faculty, staff, and disciplinary boards charged with implementing it.
Current School-Based Protest and Dissent Guidelines and Procedures
Several Schools have adopted policies in addition to the Statement:
- In 1990, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences adopted a set of Free Speech Guidelines, which set forth a procedure for dealing with expression and dissent, geared mainly to speaker events and meetings.
- Harvard Business School has adopted a Community Values Statement that includes respect for the rights, differences, and dignity of others and accountability for personal behavior. It also has an HBS demonstration policy, which includes a demonstration permit application.
- Harvard Divinity School has adopted the University Statement on Rights and Responsibilities and has adopted a Statement of Community Values that include respect the rights, differences, and dignity of others; and “listening, speaking, and acting with candor, equitability, and with courtesy, so that all may participate freely within a climate of openness, trust, and sensitivity.”
- Harvard Graduate School of Design has adopted Community Values, Rights, and Responsibilities that includes respectful engagement.
- Harvard Kennedy School has adopted a policy on Open Debate, Protest, and Dissent.
- Harvard Law School has adopted a set of community Rights and Responsibilities, which include Community Principles, Protest and Dissent Guidelines, and additional guidance.
- Harvard Medical School has adopted a Statement on Mutual Respect and Public Discourse that addresses protests, picketing, and public events.
- The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has adopted guidelines for open debate and protest.
- Harvard Graduate School of Education has adopted the University Statement on Rights and Responsibilities.
- Harvard School of Dental Medicine has adopted a Statement on Mutual Respect and Public Discourse that addresses protests, picketing, and public events.
- Harvard’s Division of Continuing Education has adopted Community Values to create and sustain an environment of trust, cooperation, lively inquiry, and mutual understanding, with guidance on protest and dissent.
Current Administrative Units’ Protest and Dissent Guidelines and Procedures
- Common Spaces facilitates school, department, and recognized student group tabling at:
- Smith Campus Center policies are included in the use request form.
- Science Center Plaza has a use of spaces policy, and provides additional guidance in the space request form.
- Memorial Church use policies are included in their space request form.
Campus Use Rules
Harvard University’s campus grounds and buildings support faculty, students, staff, other affiliates, and campus visitors in fulfilling the University’s teaching and research mission. Each year the University, its Schools, and affiliates host thousands of events, programs, and other activities to serve that mission and foster the vibrancy of our intellectual and residential community. Given the volume and complexity of the demand for campus resources and to foster the well-being of community members and preserve these resources for future generations, the University must codify the rules, practices, and policies that simultaneously protect and facilitate the use of the University’s property.
The purpose of this is to establish and make accessible a common set of such University rules for campus space use. Many of these Campus Use Rules are sourced from numerous existing policies, rules, and practices from across the University and are intended to (1) ensure community safety, security and well-being; (2) set expectations for compliance with federal, state, and local laws and University and School rules and policies; and (3) promote orderly event planning and noncompeting space use. Schools and non-School based units can supplement these Rules for the spaces that they oversee in ways consistent with these Rules and existing University policy, including but not limited to the University-wide Statement on Rights and Responsibilities. Organizations and/or individuals who do not comply with these Rules may be held financially responsible for any resulting costs incurred and may be subject to other consequences for noncompliance, including referral for discipline, personnel action, and/or confiscation and disposal of items brought onto Harvard property.
For the full list, what each section includes, and definitions please visit the Campus Use Rules page by the Office of the Executive Vice President.
Non-Discrimination and Anti-Bullying (NDAB) Policies
Harvard University is committed to providing an environment where each of us can participate fully in the life of the University, whether we are studying, teaching, conducting research, or working in other ways.
During a three-year, community-based process, new and amended policies were established concerning discrimination and bullying. The full Non-Discrimination and Anti-Bullying Policies are available on the Provost’s Office website. These policies became effective on September 1, 2023. Local Designated Resources at each school and in Central Administration have been appointed to support the community with resources and information about the policies and procedures.
To foster a campus culture where everyone can thrive, the Office for Community Conduct invites all community members to learn about University-wide policies on Non-Discrimination and Anti-Bullying. This self-paced training module will provide a policy overview, define key terms, and share support resources available. All members of the Harvard community can access the training via the Harvard Training Portal (HarvardKey Required).
Your Local Designated Resources, FAQs, and related terms and definitions can be found on the Office for Community Conduct’s webpage.
Harvard University Interim Title IX Sexual Harassment and Interim Other Sexual Misconduct Policies
Harvard University is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy educational and work environment in which no member of the University community is, on the basis of sex, including sexual orientation or gender identity, excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination in any University program or activity. Sexual harassment, including sexual violence, is a form of sex discrimination in that it denies an individual equal access to the University’s programs or activities.
Harvard University’s policies prohibiting sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct are designed to ensure a safe and non-discriminatory educational and work environment and to meet legal requirements, including: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in the University’s programs or activities; relevant sections of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in employment; and Massachusetts laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
For the full list of policies and procedures, please visit the Office for Gender Equity’s webpage.
Harvard University Disability Grievance Policy and Procedure
Harvard University is committed to providing equal opportunities for qualified community members with disabilities to access and participate in academic, social, employment, cultural and recreational programs at Harvard. This commitment is grounded not only in disability law, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the ADA Amendments of 2008, but also in Harvard’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging for all members of the community.
To learn more about the policy or how to submit a formal complaint to UDR, please visit the University Disability Resources webpage.