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Alumni Affairs and Development Event Guest Policy

Harvard University is committed to providing a safe environment for all. Supporting our community’s well-being while advancing Harvard’s academic enterprise requires our collective participation in the University’s health and safety measures. We’ve created this page to highlight important guidelines for attending our events.

Expectations for Attending Harvard-Sponsored Events and Gatherings

  • Harvard University Alumni Affairs and Development (AA&D) programs and volunteer opportunities respect the rights, differences, and dignity of others. Those taking part in AA&D activities are expected to demonstrate honesty, integrity, and civility and are accountable for their conduct with all members of the Harvard community. Harvard University AA&D reserves the right to suspend services to—and to exclude from participation in AA&D programs—any person whose inappropriate behavior adversely affects the safety, well-being, and inclusion of community members.
    • In April 2022, Provost Garber updated the community on the process to develop nondiscrimination and antibullying policies and procedures, and to review the Interim Title IX Sexual Harassment and Other Sexual Misconduct policies and procedures. Review the new policies on nondiscrimination and antibullying, which went into effect on September 1, 2023.
  • Our top priority is the health and safety of our guests. We ask that you read all communications from the University regarding current policies and protocols, including Harvard University policies.
    • Keep current with COVID-19 vaccination. Harvard highly recommends being up to date per the CDC definition for all Harvard community members, including faculty, staff, researchers, visitors, and vendors who will have any on-campus presence.
    • Keep a face mask handy. Face masks are now optional in most spaces. We strongly encourage carrying one at all times and recommend voluntary masking in crowded settings, especially indoors. In limited circumstances, some event venues may require face coverings.
    • Stay home if you feel sick. Test if you have symptoms and don't assume it's merely a cold or allergies. Test if you have COVID-19 exposure, even if you do not have symptoms.
    • If you test positive, isolate, and follow CDC guidelines. Abide by the isolation guidelines listed on CDC.gov. Notify close contacts and check in with your health care provider if you are high risk.

Although Harvard University has taken steps to comply with federal and state safety standards designed to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection, the University cannot guarantee that you will not contract COVID-19 while attending the event. Nor is Harvard in a position to know if you are or will be physically near a person infected with COVID-19 at the event. Accordingly, in attending the event, you recognize that you may be subjected to potential risks of infection, illness, injury, and even death from COVID-19. You have made your own investigation of these risks, understand these risks, and assume these risks knowingly and willingly.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, you release Harvard, its current and former members of its governing boards, officers, faculty, staff, representatives, volunteers, employees, fellows, students, other trainees and agents, and their respective heirs and assigns, from any and all claims, losses, expenses, damages, or liabilities that you may incur or suffer, arising out of or related to your contracting COVID-19 while attending the event and resulting from any cause. This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (excluding its conflict of laws principles), which shall be the forum for any lawsuits filed under or incident to this document.