Living Off-Campus

Support is provided whether you live on- or off-campus.

New York apartments by Karla Alexander on Unsplash

A number of students may decide that living off-campus is their preference. No matter where you are, you are Harvard. You not only represent Harvard in the world, but you also benefit from the extended network and resources of this institution.

Residential Affiliation

If you decide to move off-campus after living in a House community, you have the choice of either affiliating with your House or joining the Dudley Community. For first-year students, who move off-campus in their sophomore year before living a House, they are affiliated with Dudley from that point forward. Both the Houses and the Dudley Community offer strong support networks for students in terms of advising, resources, and personal support. No matter where you're located, you can count on this team of people to be available and ready to help you.

Additional Resources and Opportunities

Active enrollment and your Harvard University ID (HUID) provide the following:

Borrowing privileges at Harvard libraries
Support from Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT)
Services through Harvard University Health Services (HUHS), including telemedicine or onsite services, mental health support through Counseling and Mental Health Services (CAMHS), and virtual wellness opportunities through the Center for Wellness and Health Promotion
Advising and academic support
Opportunities to join student organizations and attend their events
Crimson Cash (can be used at a variety of local stores, markets and restaurants)
Student discounts
Sustainability at Home Guide

Rights and Responsibilities

We ask that you support each other and the communities where you find yourselves living this academic year. Embrace the idea that Harvard exists everywhere that you are, stretching across the geographic distances. Whether you are living on campus or elsewhere, take seriously the values that animate our learning and standards of student conduct that are outlined in the Handbook for Students. You are an ambassador and representative of our community, which is why our Harvard Community standards apply to all enrolled students.

Pay particular attention to the University guidance and public health guidelines (see the guidelines for Massachusetts and Cambridge as examples). Be a responsible member of your community by keeping yourself healthy as well as those around you. Students living off-campus can find masks available to them at their House building managers' offices, or at the Yard Operations Center (for Dudley Community students).

Finances and Budgeting

Living off campus may mean you're managing numerous expenses for the first time (rent, heat, gas, electricity, parking, internet/cable, insurance, etc.), or that you're responsible for establishing accounts like utilities. Know what is included in your lease and what you are responsible for. Be sure to plan ahead, pay your bills on time, and communicate regularly with your landlord and roommates. Harvard University Employees Credit Union offers personal finance workshops and financial wellness resources. If you have questions or your circumstances have changed and you need to have your financial aid package re-evaluated, contact the Griffin Financial Aid Office at faoinfo@fas.harvard.edu.

Engaging in your Neighborhood

One of the benefits of being away from campus is the opportunity to explore a new neighborhood and build community. Your interactions with your neighbors should be guided by the the Harvard College Handbook:

It is the expectation of the College that all students, whether or not they are on campus or are currently enrolled as degree candidates, will behave in a mature and responsible manner. This expectation for mature and responsible conduct also encompasses accountability for one’s own well-being, including responsible decision-making regarding physical and mental health. Further, the College expects every student to be familiar with the regulations governing membership in the Harvard community, set forth in the pages that follow. Because students are expected to show good judgment and use common sense at all times, not all kinds of misconduct or behavioral standards are codified here. The College takes all these diverse principles very seriously; together they create a foundation for the responsible, respectful society that Harvard seeks to foster among its students, faculty, and staff.

Mutual respect, cooperation, and good communication with your neighbors are the best tools for preventing conflicts.

We also hope you will embrace being a citizen leader in the world by engaging in your community: explore it, shop locally, volunteer, and vote.

Search for Housing

Apartments in Cambridge and Boston are expensive and the hunt for the right space can be frustrating. While many online search tools are available (apartments.com, craiglist.org, etc.), you can also work with a property management company for a fee. Students who are veterans, married, or have children may be eligible for Harvard apartment-style housing and should consult with with the Harvard College Housing Office.

Before you begin your search, consider:

Where you want to live
Whether you'll have roommates, and how many
What space needs you have: bedrooms, bathrooms, parking, furniture, etc.
What you can afford to pay

When you find the apartment you want, be prepared to pay a security deposit, plus your first and last month's rent. Most leases in the Boston area run from September 1 to August 31.

Leasing / Renting

A lease is a binding legal contract between you and the property owner or landlord. The lease protects both the landlord and the tenant by stating the terms of the agreement, which include the rental price, the number of tenants and the time period that you will reside in the apartment. When you sign a lease, you are obligated to pay the landlord monthly for the duration of the lease. Most leases are for 12 months and are difficult to break, so make certain it is the apartment you want. It is strongly suggested that you read and understand everything in the contract before you sign.

Consult with your local government and state attorney general for further guidance on your rights as a tenant. Cambridge offers housing resources, and Massachusetts' Attorney General has published information for renters/tenants, including a Guide to Landlord/Tenant Rights.

Health and Safety

Pay particular attention to public health guidelines (see the guidelines for Massachusetts and Cambridge as examples). Be a responsible member of your community by following the guidance and keeping yourself healthy as well as those around you. Masks are available to members of the College community, free of cost, from House building managers or from the Yard Operations Center (for the Dudley Community).

If you live off-campus, you must take greater responsibility for your personal safety. The Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) offers practical tips for staying safe no matter where you are located. Check with your local police department as well for any specific local resources. In the United States, 911 is the universal number to call for any emergency.

You may also want to consider renter's insurance to cover your personal property from fire, theft, and acts of nature, and/or liability coverage. Popular online sources include College Student Renters Insurance, esurance, National Student Services, and Worth Ave. Group.

Trash and Recycling

You are responsible for knowing when and how to dispose of your waste. Many communities require recycling and/or composting, including the City of Cambridge. If it's not spelled out in your lease, ask your landlord for guidance.

For Neighbors and Community Members

If you are a community member with any concerns related to Harvard College students, you are welcome to contact our Office of Academic Integrity and Student Conduct.

Harvard offers an anonymous reporting hotline where you may voice concerns. Harvard University Police can also help direct you to resources.

Staff Contact

Catherine Shapiro, Ph.D.

cshapiro@fas.harvard.edu

Assistant Dean for Student Support and Senior Resident Dean

Catherine Shapiro serves as the Assistant Dean for Student Support and Senior Resident Dean and can be reached at cshapiro@fas.harvard.edu. Please reach out to her with any concerns related to individual students or student behavior.

Useful Links

Residential Portal

Harvard College Housing Office

Student Organization Center Online (SOCO)

Handbook for Students

College Facebook

Ten Year Calendar