FAMILY SUPPORT AND BENEFITS
There is a range of resources available to the families of GSAS graduate students.
ACCOMMODATION FOR CHILDBIRTH OR OTHER FAMILY NEEDS: ADJUSTING THE DEPARTMENT G-YEAR
In connection with childbirth or other major, family-related interruptions of timely progress in a graduate student’s work, it is possible for students to seek a period of accommodation through an adjustment in the department G-year. A leave of absence is not necessary to receive this adjustment. Note that the Registrar’s calculation of G-year begins at the time of a student’s admission and continues until graduation. While the Registrar’s G-clock does not stop, the departments have a separate calculation of G-year that may be adjusted by one year for any of the above reasons. Students who desire this adjustment in the department G-year based on a change in family circumstances should contact their department and request this change. The department will notify GSAS of this adjustment.
The adjustment of the department G-year gives flexibility in determining the completion of department requirements as well as the application of the Graduate School’s G-10 policy (see Chapter VI). In the FAS humanities and social sciences departments this adjustment will be reflected in the years in which the guaranteed teaching fellowship will be available and will allow for an extension of eligibility to apply for dissertation completion fellowships.
HARVARD SPOUSAL BENEFITS
Athletics
Recreation memberships are available to spouses, qualified domestic partners and dependent children (under the age of 25) of current GSAS students. Membership includes access to the Malkin Athletic Center, Blodgett Pool, QRAC, and Hemenway Gymnasium. These memberships may be purchased at the Murr Center Ticket Office. Ticket office phone number: 617-495-2211. Hours 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday– Friday.
Students should refer to the athletics department website for more information.
Library
Library privileges for spouses of students may be arranged at the Library Privileges Office at Widener Library, Room 130 (Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:45 p.m.). This borrower card may be used at seventeen different libraries. The loan period for books is
twenty-eight days. A list of the available privileges will be given to the spouse when the card is purchased. To purchase this card, a spouse must bring a photocopy of the student identification of his or her spouse, along with a photo identification card of himself or herself and proof of marriage, to Room 130 in Widener Library. For more information on this process, please call 617-495-4166.
CHILD CARE
The Office of Work/Life maintains a website of resources related to child care and schools (www.childcare.harvard.edu). The website includes information about the six independent tuition-funded child care centers that operate on Harvard's campuses. The centers, which are fully licensed with high-quality professional staff, currently provide full-time or part-time care for the 380 children of Harvard staff, faculty, and students, and families in the surrounding community. The centers vary in philosophy, parent participation, schedules, and cost. As separate, private, nonprofit corporations, they establish their own policies and budgets, and do their own hiring and enrollment.
HARVARD UNIVERSITY STUDENT HEALTH PLAN (HUSHP)
Student Dependent Enrollment
Please see Chapter XIII for more information.
HARVARD STUDENT SPOUSES AND PARTNERS ASSOCIATION (HSSPA)
HSSPA is an organization open to spouses and partners of all Harvard students. Since 1896 it has provided a way for its members to make friends, find intellectual stimulation, and, most of all, feel a sense of belonging within the University. Its website is www.hsspa.harvard.edu. Those interested may also contact HSSPA by e-mail at
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. HSSPA’s Spouses Support Group is a volunteer based group to support spouses and partners of Harvard students and postdocs. It is a great opportunity to get together once a week to learn from others, exchange experiences at Harvard and make new friends. To receive a weekly announcement about meetings please send an e-mail to
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.
GSAS STUDENT-PARENTS ORGANIZATION
GSAS Student-Parents Organization aims to enrich the academic experience and provide visibility and support for graduate student and post-doctoral fellow parents at Harvard. This will result in the creation of a more collegial and happy environment for the entire Harvard community and attract a diverse, well-rounded, accomplished and mature pool of graduate student candidates. The group advocates for increased institutional and financial support, and increases awareness of issues regarding housing, childcare, and community. The group also facilitates an e-mail listserv, called the “Parentsgroup-list.” If you are a graduate school student, a post-doctoral fellow, or a partner/spouse of a graduate student or fellow, and a parent, you may subscribe to this list at Parentsgroup-list. Contact the group co-chairs, Praveen Arany ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) or Debra Caplan ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), for more information about this organization.
HARVARD INTERNATIONAL OFFICE RESOURCES
Auditing or “Sitting In” on Courses
Adult family members of international students and scholars 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. Those interested should choose the course by first consulting the FAS course catalog available online at the FAS Registrar's website. They should attend the first lecture. After it is over, introduce themselves to the professor, explain their status at Harvard and ask that they be allowed to audit the course. This privilege does not apply to small seminars or language courses.
English Classes
The HIO can connect you to organizations that offer English classes in the Boston/ Cambridge area. Please visit the HIO website.
Information about Schooling for Children
The HIO provides information about enrolling children in public or private schools on its website.
Volunteer Opportunities
Many institutions, especially those that operate on a non-profit basis, depend on the goodwill of people who contribute their skills and time without pay. Volunteering is an opportunity to become involved in the local community, to meet people from outside the University, and to learn something about American society. Volunteering may also provide a way to keep active in a professional area when paid employment is not a possibility. Consult the Volunteer Solutions website for some volunteer possibilities.