First Year Student Information

Bicycles
Cleaning Your Suite
Cleaning Your Bathroom
Damage Letters
Fire Safety
Furniture and Windows
Insurance
Laundry, Trash, and Recycling
Mail and Packages
Posting Notices
Security
Vacation Period

RULES AND GUIDELINE

(1) PLANNING TO DECORATE YOUR SUITE?

Before you begin putting up posters and the like please familiarize yourself with the following rules and guidelines:DO NOT use any objects that might create holes in a surface (e.g., nails, tacks, screws or picture hooks) on walls, doors, moldings, ceilings or floors.

• DO NOT use any masking tape, scotch tape, two-sided tape, mounting squares, glue-backed corkboards or adhesives other than those provided by the College.
• Only College-provided poster gum, molding hooks and wire may be used in these rooms. These supplies are available at Yard Operations in Weld Hall Basement.
• The use of dartboards in dormitory rooms is expressly prohibited.
• Do not attempt to repair any damages in your room as this will result in additional fines.

These rules will be strictly enforced and there will be periodic inspections to maintain compliance. The cost of repairs resulting from the violation of any of these rules will be charged directly to the violator(s) or to all occupants of the suite if the guilty party is not identified. The cost for wall repairs can be as high as $500 per wall.

(2) SECURITY

• Do not prop open exterior doors.
• Do not lend your room key to anyone.
• It is illegal to have copies of your room key made (turning in a key copy at the end of the term will result in additional fines).
• Keep your suite door locked at all times.
• Report faulty locks to Harvard Yard Operations.
• Do not allow anyone to enter your building unless you know them, or they can show you a Harvard ID.

(3) SUITE DAMAGE LETTERS

Check your room thoroughly for any damage upon arrival. List any damage on a standard (8.5”x 11”) sheet of paper. Then you and each of your roommates should sign it and hand-deliver it to Harvard Yard Operations (located in Weld Hall basement) 5 days after your move in date. Please, no emails. Damage includes any of the following:

• Holes, dents, marks, or scratches in the wall, including nail- or tack-holes;
• Illegal adhesive residue on walls, e.g., scotch tape, double-stick squares, any wall-mounted hooks or coat-hangers using such adhesives;
• Severely scratched floors or furniture;
• Any other type of damage which does not interfere with the room’s function.

This letter is our record of suite condition prior to your move-in, and is the basis of charges for suite damage at the end of the term. If your rooming group does not submit this letter, we will defer to our most recent records, which could date back to September 2005 or earlier. Consequently, it is in your best interest to submit a list of damages at the specified time in order to protect yourself against unwarranted charges. Also, please note that damage listed on these letters will not be repaired while the rooms are occupied. Any maintenance requiring immediate attention should be submitted separately to our office in person or by submitting a request online at http://www.yardops.fas.harvard.edu .

(4) REMOVING FURNITURE FROM SUITE/DISMANTLING BUNKBEDS

• Removing furniture from a room and putting it in the hallway or in the entryway is expressly forbidden. Dismantling bunkbeds is discouraged. Students will be charged for any labor necessary to re-assemble bunkbeds after their departure.

(5) SCREENS AND STORM WINDOWS

• Do not remove any screens or storm windows. You will be charged for violating this rule.

(6) CLEANING SUPPLIES

• Toilet paper, poster gum, fishing line and molding hooks are available at Yard Operations in Weld Basement. Vacuum cleaners may be borrowed for a one-hour time limit. Brooms, dustpans, swiffers, etc. may also be borrowed.

(7) POSTING NOTICES

• Do not post notices on entry doors, walls or elevators. Notices will be removed immediately. You may only post notices on the bulletin boards located in the basement hallway of the Harvard Yard Mail Center (Science Center) and in Loker Commons.

(8) FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

• Tampering with fire extinguishers is a very serious matter and will not be tolerated. Disciplinary action will be taken against the person or persons responsible. This is for your safety as well as for that of your fellow students. Residents of entire floors and/or entries will be charged for “unclaimed” tampering.

(9) FIRE DOORS

• Keep all fire doors and lanes clear of furniture, luggage, etc. It is state law that these passages be kept clear.

(10) BICYCLES

• Bicycles must be walked through the Yard. Bicycle racks are located throughout the Yard. Bicycles chained to stairwells, gates, railings or along handicapped ramps will be confiscated. Bicycles are allowed inside the dorms only when stored in your suite. Bicycles left in common areas, basements or hallways will be confiscated and all costs incurred will be termbilled.

(11) PACKAGES

• Notices of parcels received will be placed in your mailbox in the Science Center Basement. You must present both your ID card and notice in order to pick up your parcel.

(12) VACATION PERIOD

• Please lock all windows and doors in your suite when you leave for an extended weekend or during vacation regardless of your floor number. Remember to shut off any lights when not in use.

If you have any further questions or need additional information, do not hesitate to visit our website http://www.yardops.fas.harvard.edu. You are also invited to refer to the Handbook for Students to familiarize yourself with the complete set of rules and guidelines for living in the dorms.