Administrative infrastructure, policies, procedures, and training

Harvard has implemented, revised and strengthened the implementation of various policies and guidance related to protest, dissent, and community standards to uphold both freedom of expression and the essential conditions for research, teaching and learning. The University and its Schools are also providing training opportunities to address hate and bias, including specifically antisemitism and anti-Israeli bias. Examples include updating its Campus Use Rules to ensure the consistent understanding of use of campus spaces; clarifying that academic and residential spaces are off limits to protest and dissent activities; reviews of disciplinary process and procedures at the School level;  empowering the President to call on a faculty panel of the University Committee on Rights and Responsibilities to investigate, find facts, and impose discipline in cross-School cases involving alleged violations of the University-wide Statement on Rights and Responsibilities or Campus Use Rules; and  launching new training for all Harvard community members on understanding Harvard’s Non-Discrimination Policy and Procedures and identifying and combating discrimination and bias, including antisemitism.

Last updated December 2025 

Accountability and complaint policies and procedures

• Establishment of Office for Community Support, Non-Discrimination, Rights and Responsibilities.  In August 2025, Harvard announced the creation of the Office for Community Support, Non-Discrimination, Rights and Responsibilities (CSNDR), which works with the Harvard community to foster an environment free from discrimination, interpersonal violence, and the impacts of such harm. CSNDR is comprised of three teams – the confidential SHARE Team (Sexual Harassment/Assault Resources and Education), the Prevention Team, and the Non-Discrimination Policy and Title IX Compliance Team. In her message to the University announcing the new office, the Director of CSNDR and University Title IX Coordinator reiterated: “Discrimination and hate at Harvard—whether antisemitism, Islamophobia, sex-based discrimination or any other type of bias—will not be tolerated.”
• Improvements to the Non-Discrimination Policy.  Harvard is actively working to improve the implementation of its Non-Discrimination Policy and Procedures and to ensure that Harvard community members understand how to report discrimination and access the support available to them.
• IHRA definition of antisemitism. In January 2025, the University issued guidance clarifying that its Non-Discrimination Policy uses the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (“IHRA”) definition of antisemitism and considers the examples accompanying the IHRA definition to the extent that those might be useful in determining discriminatory intent. In spring 2025, the University provided training on this guidance to those who receive and review complaints under the University’s Non-Discrimination and Anti-Bullying Policies (“NDAB”).
• Title VI office. In August 2025, Harvard affirmed that CSNDR is Harvard’s Title VI office and clarified that the University’s Non-Discrimination Policy complies with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights’ (OCR) guidance regarding Title VI.
• Strengthened Training for Local Designated Resources (LDRs). During the 2025-26 Academic Year, Harvard is implementing a new training program for personnel charged with reviewing and evaluating complaints of discrimination to strengthen Harvard’s response to complaints of discrimination. As part of this action plan, in September 2025, LDRs were provided with training on Title VI led by outside experts on civil rights compliance.
• Annual Title VI report. Harvard will publicly reaffirm at least annually that antisemitism will not be tolerated and will, for the next five years, report annually on the University’s response to discrimination or harassment based on Title VI-protected traits and will provide transparency, consistent with state and federal privacy laws, regarding discipline outcomes in Title VI matters.
• Faculty Panel to Address Cross-School Violations of USRR and Campus Use Rules. In April 2025, Harvard’s governing boards empowered the President to call on a faculty panel of the University Committee on Rights and Responsibilities (UCRR) to investigate, find facts, and impose discipline in cross-School cases involving alleged violations of the University Statement on Rights and Responsibilities (USRR) or Campus Use Rules. This builds on steps taken regarding the UCRR in July 2024 that established procedures to standardize fact-finding investigations for incidents involving students from two or more Schools.
• Updated Disciplinary Boards for Harvard College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Following a review that began in October 2024, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences made recommendations, which have been adopted by the Dean, for updating the administrative (disciplinary) boards for Harvard College and the Harvard Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
• Anonymous reporting. Harvard continues to encourage affiliates to use the 24/7 reporting mechanisms to allow community members to report incidents of bias anonymously.
• Campus use policies. In August 2024, the University announced, and the Corporation endorsed, updated Campus Use Rules that strengthen and harmonize existing regulations, publishing in one place clear guidelines that are intended to facilitate productive use of space and appropriate enforcement of policies. These rules and guidelines help enhance community safety and accountability, and include that when asked to do so by a university administrator or a Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) officer, students and employees must show identification and must remove their face masks when showing identification.
• Harvard College’s Student Group Policies. Student organizations recognized by Harvard College are not permitted to co-sponsor an event with non-Harvard organizations or individuals if the event occurs on the Harvard campus or is otherwise funded or supported by resources or benefits made available by the College to recognized student organizations.  For the 2025-26 Academic Year, the Harvard College Student Organization Resource Guide was updated to clarify that co-sponsorship includes providing financial support, supplies, indirect marketing support, room reservations, and collaborating on social media. Additionally, Harvard College student organizations are required to include a non-discrimination clause in their student organization constitution and affirm their compliance with Harvard University policies.

Safety and protest policies

• Guidance on protest and dissent. In January 2024, the President and Deans issued new “Guidance on Protest and Dissent” (endorsed by the Corporation) that clarifies and makes more explicit rules regarding protest and dissent at Harvard. This includes making clear that demonstrations and protests are not permitted in classrooms and other spaces of instruction; libraries or other spaces designated for study, quiet reflection, and small group discussion; dormitories, residence halls, or dining halls where students live and take their meals; offices where the work of the University is carried out; or other places in which demonstrations and protests would interfere with the normal activities of the University.
• Library protest guidance. In November 2024, Harvard issued FAQs on Protests in Libraries explaining how the USRR applies to protests in Harvard’s libraries. The FAQs underscore, among other things, that silent protests “express[ing] a shared message … interfere with the room’s purpose as a place of study and research” and therefore violate the USRR. To protect these essential academic spaces, protest participants may have their library access privileges suspended and/or be referred to their School deans for potential discipline.
• Safety and security. Harvard has deployed additional law enforcement resources to protect students and ensure the safety of the entire community. The University has increased coordination between the Harvard University Police Department and local and federal law enforcement to assess and respond to any potential or actual threats to the Harvard community. When circumstances warrant, the University restricts access to Harvard Yard (the center of its Cambridge campus) to limit outside disruptions, better manage campus spaces, and ensure student safety.
• Online safety guidance and resources. In October 2023, Harvard issued comprehensive guidance on issues relating to doxxing, online harassment, and personal online security, including resources available to community members experiencing these issues. The University also developed and distributed a guide, Protecting Against Online Abuse and Harassment, to help students, faculty, and staff recognize and report online harassment. HUPD, working with Harvard’s information security team, has processes in place to receive and act on these reports.
• Doxxing/harassment guidance. In September 2024, President Alan Garber, Provost John Manning, and the Deans of Harvard’s Schools released guidance clarifying that doxxing violates the USRR) prohibition against “intense personal harassment” and constitutes “bullying” under the University’s NDAB Policies. HUPD, working with Harvard’s information security team, has established processes to receive and respond to these doxxing reports.

Training for Harvard community

• New community education on preventing and responding to bias and harassment. In August 2025, Harvard launched a required new e-learning course for students, which contains comprehensive information about the University’s Non-Discrimination Policy, Interim Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy, and Interim Other Sexual Misconduct Policy as well as information about available resources and supports.  This course includes training and information on how to recognize and respond to forms of bias and harm, including antisemitism, Islamophobia, sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct, and other forms of bias. Training for staff, faculty, and researchers launched September 8, 2025.
• Title VI Focused–Staff Members. In June 2025, the University hired a new staff member to serve as the University’s Title VI Coordinator and Secretary for Compliance. Additionally, CSNDR hired a Deputy for Title VI and Title IX Compliance to support our network of local Title IX Resource Coordinators and Local Designated Resources and serve as a facilitator of informal resolutions. CSNDR also hired a Deputy Title VI Coordinator and Case Manager to consult on complaints of antisemitism and other forms of discrimination. Each of these new roles provides additional support and expertise to the NDAB and Title IX Compliance Team.
• Title IX and Professional Conduct Program Officer at HMS: Harvard Medical School hired an additional Title IX and Professional Conduct Program Officer to serve as an LDR and resource coordinator specifically supporting student populations and overseeing education and programming strategies related to harassment, discrimination, and bullying.
• Training for CSNDR staff. All CSNDR staff reviewing complaints raising allegations of discrimination participated in specialized professional development training, provided by the Brandeis University President’s Initiative to Counter Antisemitism, focused on recognizing and combating antisemitism and understanding the IHRA definition of antisemitism.
• Leadership summits on antisemitism. In April 2024, more than 100 senior leaders at Harvard participated in an Inclusion & Belonging Leadership Summit: Committed to Combating Hate and Bias, which focused on antisemitism and other forms of hate. In September 2024, President Garber and other leaders participated in a two-day College and University Presidents Summit on Campus Antisemitism hosted by Hillel International, the American Jewish Committee, and the American Council on Education.
• FAS Faculty Training NDAB Policies. The Faculty of Arts and Sciences’ Spring 2025 and Fall 2025 faculty-facing orientation programs included a dedicated training session on the NDAB Policies.
• Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Training. In the 2025-26 Academic Year, Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Training will hold programs on antisemitism and Islamophobia for staff, which will include historical and cultural context. The programs will be LinkedIn Learning Trainings developed by outside experts.
• Antisemitism and Anti-Islamic Bias Training at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. In August 2025, student-facing personnel and school leadership attended in-person, intensive workshops led by outside experts on combatting antisemitism and anti-Islamic bias. Student leaders will take similar workshops in fall 2025.
• Training on Antisemitism Tutors, Proctors, and Peer Advising Fellows. In October 2024, the College Dean of Students Office (DSO) provided training on combating antisemitism for all Tutors, Proctors, and Peer Advising Fellows.
• Harvard Business School Antisemitism training. Harvard Business School has instituted a pilot program with Project Shema, a training and support organization focused on addressing contemporary antisemitism, to offer antisemitism training to all MBA students. In addition, MBA student-facing staff are offered trainings related to bias and power provided by Nova Collective and antisemitism training provided by Project Shema.
• Harvard’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Antisemitism Workshop. The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences hosted a workshop on combating antisemitism in February 2025 .
• Bok Center Training Resources on Antisemitism. Harvard’s Bok Center, which provides teaching and learning resources for faculty and students, offered a series of workshops on ways to incorporate training on combating antisemitism into educational sessions.
• Antisemitism training for mental health professionals. Clinicians and staff from Harvard’s Counseling and Mental Health Services (CAMHS) have received cultural competency lectures from one of Harvard’s Jewish Chaplains to provide a deeper understanding of antisemitism and enable better care for students.
• Hillel and Combined Jewish Philanthropies Leaders at Harvard Business School. In October 2025, Harvard Business School hosted leaders from Hillel and CJP-Boston for a seminar designed to help faculty understand antisemitism, including how it has manifested itself in business, at HBS, and at Harvard; better understand the experiences of Jewish community members; and emerge better prepared as teachers and colleagues.
• Harvard Divinity School Training Sessions on Antisemitism and Islamophobia. In fall 2025, Harvard Divinity School hosted training sessions for the HDS community on “Identifying and Responding to Antisemitism” and “Addressing Islamophobia and Intersecting Biases.”