Proctors and Tutors

Resident Tutors are valued and important members of the staff of Harvard College who play a vital role in the residential and educational life of undergraduates. Each House in the College forms a small academic and social community in which Resident Tutors and undergraduates live, eat, socialize and study together within the larger context of the College and University. Because of the informal nature of this environment, and the unique character of each individual House, it is important for both Tutors and students to understand Tutors’ multiple roles within the House system as a whole.

Tutors communicate frequently and work closely with the senior staff of the House (Faculty Deans, who supervise them, Resident Deans, and House Administrators). Most tutors also serve as sophomore mentors, and work closely with designated members of the Mignone Center for Career Success,  Academic Resource Center, University Health Services, the Wellness Center, the SHARE Team, and Mental Health Services, in addition to other DSO Offices such as the Harvard Foundation.

Being consistently present in the House and regularly available to students is requisite to successful performance as a tutor. Commitments are often more extensive at the start and end of each term, and tutors are expected to resolve any scheduling conflicts during the orientation, reading, and examination periods in favor of their tutorial responsibilities. As part of their role, tutors receive housing for the year and a meal plan (limited to when the dining halls are open).

Neighborhood or Entryway Responsibilities: Tutors oversee a part of the House (e.g., floor, entryway); they are the College Officer for their designated community. In this capacity, Resident Tutors are expected to:

• Meet with and be available to students on an individual basis;
• Explain the rules of the House and the College;
• Help create and maintain a safe and livable environment;
• Serve as a liaison to the many resources within the College (Mignone Center for Career Success, Academic Resource Center, etc.)
• Bring to the attention of the Faculty & Resident Deans students' academic or personal concerns or serious infractions of House or College rules. Tutors work with Deans in helping the students address problems they encounter.
• Perform several weeks (schedule determined by the House) of on-call duty per term, responding to HUPD and HUHS calls/hospitalizations after hours and on weekends. this would require staying on or near campus after hours and on weekends.
• Respond immediately to emergency situations involving students.

Personal Advising: Tutors play an essential role within the advising system at Harvard. Not only do sophomore mentors help students develop and pursue their academic and personal interests, but they also serve as an important source of information to the Allston Burr Resident Dean about students who are struggling or in need of additional support.  Sophomore mentors provide personal advising to students throughout the academic year.

Community Involvement: While varying from House to House, the responsibilities of the community can be generalized as follows:

• Be in residence in the House during the academic year except for vacation periods and, with explicit permission of the Faculty Dean, an occasional short trip
• Attend College-wide trainings and meetings, and House Tutor meetings; take meals in the dining hall regularly; be available to students during stressful times
• Attend House functions, including sophomore outings, orientations, commencement, and other functions designated by the Faculty Dean
• Perform “on-call” duty when required by the House. This includes responding to HUPD and HUHS calls/hospitalizations after hours and on weekends. This would require staying on or near campus after hours and on weekends.

Physical Requirements:

Residential positions—such as Tutors, Proctors, and House Aides—generally require the physical ability to perform a range of tasks while navigating the campus, including ability to traverse into separate multiple buildings within the residential community. They are also frequently required to remain in a stationary position. Tutors, Proctors, and House Aides must also occasionally transport and/or move items weighing up to 25 pounds.  Flexibility in work hours—including evenings, weekends, and holidays—is also commonly expected. 

The physical demands described previously reflect those needed to successfully carry out the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential duties. If you have questions about the physical access of any specific residential spaces, please contact the Director of Administration for the Residential Communities, Krystle Petrie, at kpetrie@fas.harvard.edu.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.

The Resident Tutor application for 2026-2027 will open in early December; the majority of tutors are hired between December and early April.  Please make sure to submit all of your application materials by the priority deadline of January 5 so your application is reviewed for the annual hiring process. Each House manages its own hiring process for Resident Tutors.

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