Harvard College Crimson Folder

Harvard College students often encounter challenges during their undergraduate years and may not recognize that they need help or may need help accessing it. As an administrator, faculty or staff member, you are in an important position to guide Harvard College students to support services. The Harvard College Crimson Folder is designed to help you prepare to support students by learning how to become familiar with campus resources for undergraduates, recognize sights of distress, respond to a student’s needs with attentiveness and empathy, refer the student to others who may be better equipped to help.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) permits communication about a student in connection with a health and safety emergency. Observations of a student’s conduct or statements made by a student are not protected by FERPA. Consideration for student privacy should always be given before information is shared. When communicating with a student, it is important to use the language “private and discreet” rather than “confidential,” as you may need to share information with those listed below.

If the student’s conduct is clearly reckless, dangerous, disorderly, or threatening of immediate harm to self or others in the community, call HUPD at 617-495-1212 or 911.

Any report made to HUPD involving a Harvard College student will be brought to the attention of the Harvard College Dean of Students Office (DSO).

A wellness check is a consultative process that exemplifies the partnership between the Harvard College Dean of Students Office and faculty and staff in responding to student needs. If you have not heard from a student for some time and you or others are concerned about their safety or well-being, it may be necessary to initiate a wellness check. This process typically begins with contacting the student’s emergency contact and may involve enlisting the assistance of HUPD or local police.

Once you recognize that it has been some time since you have heard from the student, it is helpful to ask yourself the following questions:

• Is it typical that the student would not reply to emails for some time?
• When was the last time you heard from or physically saw the student?
• Does the student have a history of being out of contact?
• Are there other community members (peers, colleagues, etc.) that might be in touch with the student?
• Have others expressed concern about the student?
• What outreach have you tried already—emails, calls, leaving notes, using department means (Slack, messaging app, etc.)? Have you tried multiple means to connect?
• Are there any mental or physical health concerns that you are aware of?
• Does the student live alone or with others?

Initial outreach to the student may come from a member of the department or their Resident Dean. If a student does not respond to faculty or departmental outreach, it may be necessary to consult with the Harvard College Dean of Students Office for support and to initiate a wellness check.

Staff, faculty, or other community members may reach out via email or call the student’s Resident Dean.

For first-year students, please call or email their Resident Dean of First-Year Students.

For other undergraduates, please call or email the Resident Dean of their House or Community.

If you are unsure about which Resident Dean to contact, you may call the Dean of Students Office at 617-496-7700 or the Senior Resident Dean at 617-496-9413 (cshapiro@fas.harvard.edu).

• Medical or Public Safety Emergency: 911
• Harvard University Police: 617-495-1212
• Harvard University Police Longwood: 617-432-1212
• Medical Urgent Care at HU Health Services: 617-495-5711
• International SOS: 617-998-0000
  • 24/7 support while abroad on University travel
• For urgent but not immediately life threatening issues: refer to your department’s internal emergency protocol.

Counseling and Mental Health Hotlines

• CAMHS Cares Line: 617-495-2042
  • 24-hour access line that allows students (or those concerned about a student) to speak with a licensed counselor
• SHARE Hotline: 617-495-9100
  • 24/7 confidential hotline for all Harvard community members who have been impacted by sexual assault, sexual harassment, and gender discrimination

Support for Faculty & Staff

• HUHS Behavioral Health: 617-495-2323
  • Clinical care for Harvard employees
• Employee Assistance Program
  • Offers free, confidential help for Harvard employees
• Harvard FAS Faculty Affairs

• Support Services: Support Services staff
• Disability: General disability and exam accommodations
• Title IX: Support for sexual assault/harassment
• EDIB Office: Diversity and Inclusion Office
• Financial Aid: Policies, procedures, eligibility, fees
• School’s Policies: MBA Honor Code

• Dean of Students Office: 617-496-7700
• Resident Dean of First Years
  • Academic and resident deans for first-years
• Allston Burr Resident Deans
  • Academic and resident deans for sophomores, juniors, seniors and visiting undergraduates
• Disability Access Office
• Title IX Coordinators
• SHARE
  • Sexual harassment/assault resources
• Griffin Financial Aid Office
• Equity Diversity and Inclusion
  • Women’s Center
  • Harvard Foundation
  • BGLTQ Office
  • Bias Reporting
• Academic Resource Center
• Office of International Education
  • Study abroad and support for international students
• Other Student Resources
  • Harvard College Website
  • Get Support Page for Students
  • Student Handbook
  • Undocumented Student Resources

• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Phone Number: 988
• Samaritans Suicide Prevention Hotline: 877-870-4673
• SafeLink Domestic/Dating Violence Hotline: 877-785-2020
• Boston Area Rape Crisis Center: 800-841-8371
• Boston Food Access: 617-635-3717
• MA Confidential Referral Helpline: 211
• MA Mental Health Resources: 617-580-8541
• MA Department of Mental Health: 800-221-0053