Resources for Student Spouses and Partners
Dudley House Events – Spouses and Partners are welcome to attend certain events at Dudley House. For information, call the Dudley House Office, 495-2255.
Harvard International Office (HIO), Holyoke Center, 8th floor. This office provides programs for spouses of international students. For information, please visit the HIO web site at http://www.hio.harvard.edu/spousespartnersandchildren/ or call 495-2789.
Harvard Student Spouses and Partners Association (HSSPA) – HSSPA organizes a variety of events throughout the year for Harvard students and their spouses and families, such as social gatherings, dinners, and outings. To obtain additional information, visit the website: www.hsspa.harvard.edu . To join, email HSSPA at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
To receive a weekly announcement about meetings, please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
"Sitting In" Courses -- Auditing
Adult family members may sit in on regular lecture courses in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) and some of the other graduate schools, at the discretion of the faculty member. Arrangements for auditing are very informal. Choose the course by first consulting the FAS course catalog available on line at www.fas.harvard.edu/registrar. Attend the first lecture. After it is over, introduce yourself to the professor, explain your status at Harvard and ask that you be allowed to audit the course. This privilege does not apply to small seminars or language courses.
English Classes for family members of students and scholars
The HIO has a flyer listing three different types of organizations that offer English classes in the Boston/Cambridge area. Please visit the HIO web site at www.hio.harvard.edu .
Library - GSAS spouses may purchase borrowing privileges similar to those for GSAS students. To do so, a spouse must bring to the Privileges Office in Widener Library, room 130 a photocopy of the student identification card of his/her spouse and proof of same address (e.g., marriage license) along with a passport or a personal photo ID card. If the last names are different, proof of the same address or a marriage license needs to be given. The Privileges Office is open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. Note: the special privileges card for spouses can only gain access to the Harvard College libraries but not Fung, Lamont, or Harvard Andover for burrowing. The professional school libraries are not available with the special borrowing card. The fee is $5.00 (in exact change or check) per calendar year; there is a 28-day loan period.
Counseling – For information about counseling for student couples that is available at the Bureau of Study Counsel or Mental Health Services, please contact Ellen Fox, Director of GSAS Student Services: (49)5-5005; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Athletics – Spouses may purchase memberships in person at the Athletic Ticket Office. The Athletic Ticket Office is located on the first floor of the Murr Center, 65 North Harvard Street (phone: 617-495-2211).
Individual Use Fee - $10.00 per person per use of facilities with a member.
Family Participation Cards – A GSAS student can purchase a family pass for $195 full year. The pass provides unlimited access to all facilities and is for spouses, qualified domestic partners and children (any number) for the fall and spring terms until the end of the academic year.
Summer pass – $65 for spouses, domestic partners and children (any number). Unlimited access to MAC, Blodgett, Hemenway, QRAC, and Murr. Valid from July 1st until August 31.st
For additional information visit the athletic recreation website: http://www.gocrimson.com/recreation/membership/purchase.
Office of Work/Life Resources
1350 Massachusetts Ave. Suite 652, Cambridge, MA 02138, Telephone: 617-495-4100
The Office’s website provides referrals to the Harvard-affiliated child care centers as well as community day care centers and nursery schools, after school programs, summer camps and elementary schools. From the website, students can also connect to the University-wide child care bulletin board, where parents exchange information regarding child care arrangements.
For more information, please visit www.childcare.harvard.edu.
Information About Schooling for Children
The HIO website contains information about enrolling children in public or private schools. The information is available on the HIO web site at http://www.hio.harvard.edu/spousespartnersandchildren/childcareandschooling/childcare/.