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Information for Summer Residents

Pfoho glows on a summer evening

 

Summer Community

  • Staff: Over the summer months, many people will be available to support you during your stay at Harvard, including Summer Proctors who help create a sense of community. 
  • Study breaks:  While Summer Proctors will hold study breaks for the entryways, these events may not be as frequent or robust as study breaks held during term-time.
  • Social events: Residential staff will host up to 3 social events for the summer residential community. Summer events will not be as frequent or robust as social events held during term-time. 
  • Parties: You are not permitted to host parties in campus housing during the summer. Summer Proctors will provide an overview of this policy during your entryway meetings and you can also contact the Resident Director of Summer Housing of  with any questions. Violations of this policy are considered a violation of summer housing terms.

Roommates and Room Changes

  • Room changes are strictly forbidden without permission. Switching rooms for any reason without this formal permission is a violation of summer housing terms.
  • Room changes can only be granted by the College Housing Office. Changes are typically granted for exigent circumstances and are not granted for convenience or preference. 
  • Contact the College Housing Office at collegehousing@fas.harvard.edu with questions or concerns.

Summer Housing Accommodations

The Disability Access Office (DAO) can help reduce or remove environmental barriers that significantly limit your access and inclusion in on-campus housing. DAO works with the College Housing Office and Dean of Students Office on accommodation requests. They review each set of needs on a case-by-case basis. Please contact dao@fas.harvard.edu as soon as you anticipate needing accommodations for summer housing. 

Facilities

  • Using Stoves: When operating your kitchen stove, remember to turn off the gas immediately when you are done using the appliance. For your safety and the safety of everyone living in residence, you need to be mindful of shutting off the gas when it is not in use. Never leave a stove or oven unattended. If you're unsure how to operate your stove, contact your proctor for guidance.
  • Some summer residents will have access to Mail Services: Independent students, student orgs, athletes, and those in DeWolfe all have mailboxes assigned to them. If you do not have access to a mailbox but need to receive mail or important documents (e.g. visa documents) during the summer, you need to forward your mail to an alternate address.
  • Air-conditioning is not available in Harvard housing over the summer months*
  • Elevators are not available in Harvard housing over the summer months*

*Students with disability-related needs should contact the Disability Access Office in advance of move-in to discuss reasonable accommodations.

Staying Cool

Any time you need a break from the heat or there is a heat advisory, we encourage you to visit on-campus locations with air conditioning, highlighted below. Additionally, if you are not in a location with air conditioning, follow these tips to avoid overheating during a heat wave.

Campus Locations

City of Cambridge Resources

  • Cambridge Public Library: All Cambridge public library locations are open to the public and can be great locations to visit for a break from the heat.
  • Waterplay Locations: Visit a sprinkler or spray park. View the waterplay map to find a location close to you. There is a waterplay location by the quad and two by the river houses on Memorial Drive.
  • Veterans Memorial Swimming Pool: Located at 719 Memorial Drive, the Veterans Memorial Swimming Pool is close to campus.

Packing

  • Begin packing well-ahead of your move-out date: Looking around your room you may think your belongings will only take a moment to finish packing.
  • The night before you move, ensure all of your items are fully packed: Those last few boxes could take much longer than you expect. We recommend reserving one box or bag to add any remaining items that you need for your last night in your room (e.g. bedding, laptop, etc.). This will also make it easy to unpack if you are moving from one suite to another. 

Moving

  • You must move out by the required time: You must move out when required so your room is ready for the next occupant. Plan ahead – Moving your belongings can take longer and be more strenuous and stressful than you think. 
  • Consider what help you will need to move out on time: As mentioned above, pack your items in advance. Think about how many boxes/bags you will have and how heavy they are. This will help you plan how long it will take and whether you should enlist help from friends, future roommates, or other supports.

Staff

Summer residential staff monitor a shared inbox for non-urgent matters. Please reach out to your proctor or dsosummerresstaff@fas.harvard.edu with any non-urgent questions.

For urgent or time-sensitive matters, call the Proctor On-Call. Please do not text the Proctor On-Call for urgent or time-sensitive matters. 

Directors

  • Chris Gilbert, Resident Director of Summer Housing
  • Lauren Mulcahy, Assistant Resident Director of Summer Housing
  • Katie Kohn, Assistant Resident Director of Summer Housing and Proctor

Proctors

  • Katie Kohn, Entryway: 10 DeWolfe, 20 DeWolfe floors 3-6, North Quincy floor 7
  • Rakin Ahmed, Entryway: Quincy 3rd floor 306-328
  • Nicole Collins, Entryway: Mather 4th floor
  • Bill Ding, Entryway: Claverly Hall, Quincy floors 2, 4, 5 and 301-304 
  • Alaa Hamid, Entryway: Mather 3rd floor, 20 DeWolfe floors 0-2
  • Jacob Kahn, Entryway: Quincy 6th Floor

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