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The HDS Handbook for Students contains information regarding the policies, procedures, and rules of Harvard Divinity School and Harvard University, and federal, state, and local laws and regulations that govern institutions of higher education. Degree and nondegree students and cross-registrants are accountable for the information provided in the handbook and are expected to familiarize themselves with the publication.
The Handbook for Students constitutes the Official Register of Harvard Divinity School and is published by the HDS Registrar's Office.
Notice
Harvard Divinity School reserves the right to make changes to the Student Handbook at any time without advance notice. These changes may affect such matters as tuition and other fees, courses, degrees, and programs offered (including the modification or possible elimination of degrees and programs), degree and other academic requirements, academic policies, rules pertaining to student conduct and discipline, fields or areas of concentration, and other rules and regulations applicable to students.
In addition, Harvard Divinity School retains the discretion to act as it deems necessary in extraordinary circumstances to protect the health and safety of the Harvard community, secure educational opportunities for Harvard students, and otherwise protect Harvard’s dual mission of teaching and research against significant disruption. For these purposes “extraordinary circumstances” include, but are not limited to, public health emergencies, government action, extreme weather events, and other conditions posing broad threats to the community health and safety or significantly disrupting campus life or learning.
Discretionary measures available to the Harvard Divinity School may include, but are not limited to, making recourse to remote, hybrid, or other alternative or off-campus instruction, suspending or limiting access to University-provided residential housing, limiting its provision of or access to certain activities and services, introducing or modifying vaccination, mask, and physical distancing mandates; and implementing compulsory testing and tracing programs as required conditions for accessing the Harvard campus or Harvard facilities.
Past Versions
This website contains the current HDS Handbook for Students. Changes between versions are tracked on the Version History page.
Disclosures
Harvard University is committed to the principles of equal opportunity in education and employment. Harvard Divinity School condemns all forms of discrimination or harassment, whether subtle or overt, and asserts that all members of the community should join in assuring that all students are accorded the dignity and respect called for in the University Statement of Rights and Responsibilities. A variety of resources are made available to students with regards to discrimination, anti-bullying, gender-based misconduct, and other forms of harassment. These resources are detailed in the section of this website titled Community Life Policies.
In accordance with Massachusetts State Law, Harvard Divinity School has published information about its attendance policy and absence due to religious beliefs.
In accordance with and in addition to the Harvard University campus smoking policy, smoking is prohibited in all areas of the Harvard Divinity School campus, including residential facilities, unenclosed and enclosed office areas, private offices, library areas, classrooms, restrooms, lobbies, dining areas, lecture halls, hallways, stairways, and all exterior areas of the Harvard Divinity School campus. This policy applies to all forms of smoking and electronic smoking/vaping devices (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, electronic cigarettes, and marijuana).
The University is required by federal law (The Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, 20 U.S.C. 1092(f), known as the “Clery Act”) to publish an Annual Security Report and an Annual Fire Safety Report.
The Harvard University Police Department publishes the Annual Security Report which includes information about the HUPD, how to report a crime, HUPD’s crime prevention programs, substance abuse, sensitive crimes, emergency notifications, and other important information about security and HUPD services on campus. It also contains three years of statistics on reported campus or campus-related crimes. A hard copy of the Annual Security Report may be obtained by contacting the Harvard University Police Department in-person at 1033 Massachusetts Avenue, 6th floor, Cambridge, MA 02138 or via telephone at 617.495.9225.
The Harvard University Environmental Health and Safety Department publishes the Annual Fire Safety Report, which includes fire safety polices, evacuation procedures, and fire statistics. A hard copy of the Annual Fire Safety Report may be obtained by contacting the Environmental Health and Safety Department in-person at 46 Blackstone Street, Cambridge, MA 02139 or via telephone at 617.495.2060.