Welcome to the Harvard Law School Residence Halls!
Ongoing updates are made on this page. Last update: 06.04.2024
We are happy to have you on campus and living in the residence halls. Law school is a tremendous experience and we hope that your stay on campus will enhance your time at HLS.
Here you will find many topics with important and useful information for your HLS Housing move-in. We encourage you to take the time to review all of its contents.
If you have questions not answered here email housing@law.harvard.edu.
Thank you for choosing HLS Housing.
Official Move-in Schedule
| DATE | PROGRAM |
|---|---|
| August 12, 2024 | Incoming LL.M.s Incoming S.J.D.s ILS Exchange Students |
| August 21, 2024 | Incoming J.D.s J.D. Exchange Students Transfer Students |
| August 28, 2024 | Returning 2L and 3L J.D. Students Returning S.J.D.s |
Arrival on Campus
Early Arrivals – Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate early move-in dates or times. Students who arrive before their official move in date listed above or in the Housing calendar must find alternate accommodations.
In light of the no early arrivals, we are also not able to grant access to HLS resident rooms for the purpose of storing luggage or personal belongings before your official check-in date.
Arrivals Between 9am and 5pm (EDT) Monday through Friday
- Students whose official move in dates are August 12th and August 21st and arrive between the hours of 9am and 5pm (EDT) can go directly to their HLS residence to take advantage of parking, moving assistance and supervised unloading services.
Arrivals After 5pm (EDT) Monday through Friday, Weekends & Holidays
- Although it is preferred that students arrive between 9am and 5pm (EDT) Monday through Friday, we understand that travel plans and transportation can impact your arrival time at HLS.
- Students who arrive after 5pm (EDT) or anytime during the weekend or a University recognized holiday, should make their way to Holmes Hall. Using your mobile phone dial 617-495-5521 or dial 5-5521 on the campus phone located the west entrance of the building. Please follow the prompts. A Campus Safety guard will meet you at Holmes Hall, validate your government-issued identification and give you your key packet.
- If you do not have a Harvard University identification card (HUID), the guard will escort you to your HLS residence to bypass the exterior doors.
- Those arriving after 5pm (EDT) or anytime over the weekend or a University recognized holiday, will not be able to take advantage of our moving and supervised unloading services.
Card Reader Access
The exterior doors of all residence halls have card readers and are accessible using your Harvard University ID (HUID) card. In addition, the Gropius stairwell doors that link between buildings also have card readers.
If you do not already have a HUID card, please contact the Office of the Registrar or the Graduate Program to learn where you may pick up your HUID card. Resident students must receive clearance from all administrative offices such as Admissions, Financial Aid, and the Office of the Registrar prior to your HUID card activation.
If your HUID card is not working on the card readers, please email facmgmt@law.harvard.edu immediately. Your email must include your HUID number and the location where your card did not provide you access.
Community Meeting
For new residents of HLS Housing, join us on ________________ in the Ames Courtroom, Austin Hall to meet other residents and learn about HLS Housing from your RAs.
Food on Campus
Starting Monday August 14th through the end of the fall semester
- Pub Grill (1st floor)
- Monday -Thursday from 7:30am-8:00pm
- Friday from 7:30am-5:00pm
- Harkness (2nd floor)
- Monday -Friday from 11:30am-2:30pm
Starting, Monday August 21st through the end of the fall semester
- Harkbox (lower level)
- Monday -Friday from 8:00am-5:00pm
Hand Trucks
A small number of hand trucks will be available in addition to moving support services on August 12th and August 21st. Hand trucks will be available at each of the move in locations. Students need to return hand trucks promptly after use to allow other students to make use of them.
Students who are not moving in on the official move in days may access these hand trucks during regular business hours at the Facilities Management Office, located in room four, Holmes Hall. Students will need to show their HUID or a photo ID to check out a hand truck. A replacement fee of $100 may be charged for unreturned hand trucks.
Internet Services
For internet support reach out to Information Technology Services (ITS).
Support is available by phone at (617-495-0722) from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, Monday through Friday.
You can also visit the Service Desk for walk-in assistance in Wasserstein (WCC) B037, open during the same hours.
The Administrative Services Hub is also available for support.
- In a web browser navigate to https://hls.service-now.com/sp
- Choose ‘Get Something’, to browse the catalog for services and items, make request
- Choose ‘Get Help’, to contact support to report a problem
- Choose ‘Get Answers’ to browse and search for knowledge articles
- Click the Chat icon, to chat with a team member about basic ITS questions.
Laundry Rooms
Laundry rooms can be found in the following locations:
- Gropius Complex – Basement of Dane Hall and Shaw Hall
- Hastings Hall – Basement
- 1637 Mass Avenue – First floor
- 3 and 5 Mellen Street – Basement
- North Hall – First floor
Mail & Package Services
All HLS mail is received and processed through the HLS Mail Center located in the lower level of WCC. All resident student flat mail is placed in your personal HLS mailbox accessible with the key provided in your packet during check-in. For packages, resident students are sent an email when packages are ready to be picked up. We kindly request you do not proceed to the HLS Mail Center to pick up packages without having received an email from the HLS Mail Center first.
During late July/early August, resident students will receive an email providing their official HLS mailing address and mailbox number. Upon receipt of this email, students may begin shipping to their official HLS mailing address.
All mail must be addressed as follows:
FULL STUDENT NAME
HARVARD LAW SCHOOL
1585 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE, MAILBOX #___
CAMBRIDGE, MA 02138-2801
All packages less than 50lbs, received and processed by the HLS Mail Center before 5pm on Thursday, August 8th, will be placed in your HLS resident room. All packages received after Thursday, August 8th will need to be picked up in the HLS Mail Center.
Hand trucks are available to assist in transporting packages to your room at the HLS Mail Center. A replacement fee of $100 may be accessed for unreturned hand trucks.
Maintenance Requests
The Facilities Management Office is responsible for your HLS residence. If when you arrive you are concerned with something in your room, please contact them promptly.
For non-urgent matters, emailing Facilities Management is the preferred method of communication. Emails should include your full name and your HLS resident room. For urgent matters such as a malfunctioning piece of equipment in your room or in a shared building space, please call the Facilities Management Office immediately 24/7 at 617-495-5521. If the office is closed follow the prompts and you will be connected to the University’s Control Center.
Mattresses
All HLS rooms have two-sided bed mattresses. One side of the mattress is firm while the other side is softer. Feel free to flip the mattress to the side that provides you most comfort.
Some rooms in North Hall and ALL rooms in the Gropius Complex and Hastings Hall have extra-long twin bed mattresses. The mattress size is 36″ X 80″ X 8″ (inches).
Most rooms in North Hall and all rooms in the HLS apartments have full size bed mattresses. The mattress size is 53″ X 74.5″ X 8″ (inches).
Meal Plans
Harvard University Dinning Services (HUDS) has a meal plan for all Harvard graduate and professional schools. If you are interested in a meal plan please reach out to them.
Move-In Maps
Please select the move in map below where your HLS residence is located. We encourage you to follow the instructions on the map in order to reach the area closest to unload your belongings.
If using a GPS, you will want to enter:
- 18 Everett Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 for the Gropius Complex
- Littauer Lot, Cambridge, MA 02138 for Hastings Hall
- 1651 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138 for North Hall and the HLS Apartments
Moving Assistance
Moving assistance will be provide on August 12th and August 21st, for those who are scheduled to arrive on these official move in dates.
Parking
If your official move in date is August 12th or August 21st and you are bringing a vehicle, you will be able to park in the Everett Street parking garage for the day. The garage has a seven-foot, four-inch (7’4”) clearance. Please be aware of this before making your way to the garage. U-Haul and other large rental vehicles are not permitted in the garage. If you require a longer parking stay when moving in, it is recommend you purchase a daily parking pass.
If you are arriving on campus on a weekday (Monday through Friday), you may purchase a pass for the 10 Everett Street parking garage located directly under the WCC. If you arrive over the weekend, you will need to purchase a pass for 52 Oxford Street parking garage, located at the end of Everett Street.
Parking garage passes are not sold at the garage booths. Please make sure you purchase and print your parking pass in advance.
Proof of Residency
After officially “checking-in” to your HLS residence, you may find yourself in need of proof of residency. A proof of residency can serve as a vital document to verify your address for various official purposes such as obtaining a state license, state ID, opening a bank account and applying for a City of Cambridge parking permit.
To obtain a proof of residency, head over to the portal and select “FORMS” in the crimson navigation bar. Select a form from the list and download the letter. You will be able to download this letter only after you have “checked in” to your HLS room.
Resident Advisors
The Dean of Students Office (DOS) recruits a number of HLS students who serve as Resident Advisors (RA). RAs are peer leaders and a resource within the HLS Housing residential community. RAs are assigned to a specific floor or section of a residence hall and are responsible for fostering a positive and inclusive living environment through community engagement.
You should hear from your RA soon after you have checked in and settled into your HLS residence. To find out more about your specific RA check the Resident Advisor website.
Room & Mailbox Keys
When you arrive at your HLS residence or at Holmes Hall to check-in, you will receive a key packet containing two keys, a room key and a mailbox key. For security reasons, keys should not be marked with your name or the resident room they belong to. The exterior doors of all HLS residences are accessible using your HUID card.
Proper identification is needed to obtain your key packet. Please make sure you have a government-issued document or your HUID. Key packets can only be given to the HLS room occupant and not any other individual.
Suitemate Information
Suitemate information is available in the portal on the application status page. If you would like to reach out to your suitemate, please use Amicus.
Tool Sets
Resident Assistants have been provided a small set of hardware tools to loan out in the event needed. Tools are on a first come first basis and should be promptly returned once you no longer need them.
Transportation to Campus
If you are flying into Boston’s Logan Airport and need ground transportation to the HLS campus, head over to the Massachusetts Port Authority web site. All viable options are provided there.
Trash & Recycling
Trash and recycling materials may not be left in corridors or hallways per Massachusetts Fire and Safety egress regulations. Please bring your trash/recycling material to the appropriate designated areas.
On official move in dates, August 12th and August 21st trash and recycling carts will be readily available within the resident areas. If you are in the Gropius Complex there will be carts located at the Story/Shaw courtyard. For residents of North Hall and apartments carts will be available by the North Hall patio area.
Unloading Your Personal Items
On official move in dates, August 12th and August 21st, a 20-minute unloading area will be available at each of the move in locations. Please refer to the move in maps for your HLS residence to know where to unload your personal items.
What to Avoid Bringing
- Heated blankets, hot plates, and any other heating devices
- Candles and incense
- Large bulky suitcases/baggage since these items will need to be stored in your room
- Anything that is extremely valuable to you. Please consider leaving these items behind.
What to Bring – optional
- A bathroom caddy and shower shoes if you are in Gropius, Hastings Hall or 5 Mellen Street
- Large box fan if you are in a Gropius or Hastings Hall
- Bed sheet sets, pillows, blankets, and towels
- Mattress pad if you like a softer top
- Closet hangers
- Power strip
- Personal hygiene products
- Hard plastic containers with latching buckles to store food in your room
- Headphones, earplugs (if you’re sensitive to noise) and/or a sleeping mask
- Climate appropriate clothing, such as a heavy coat, boots, scarves, hats, and gloves
- Laundry basket/hamper/bag, you can purchase detergent when you arrive
- Personal mini-vacuum, all floors are provided a shared full size vacuum
- Optional, mini-fridge less than 1000 watts
HLS Housing Handbook
It is encouraged that you familiarize yourself with the Housing Handbook. When you signed your room license agreement/apartment lease you acknowledged responsibility for abiding by the policies and procedures outlined in the handbook.