Harvard University Physical Resources works with campus partners to provide a safe and healthy space for all residents. These practices have been implemented to maintain all undergraduate housing.
What You Can Expect
- All rooms are professionally cleaned, upon move-out, after summer and Spring terms.
- All common areas and dining room spaces are professionally cleaned daily.
- Green -seal Certified practices and products are used by the dormitories’ cleaning staff.
- Any mechanically ventilated spaces are equipped with “MERV 13” filters, which are at least 85% efficient at capturing particles in 1 µm to 3 µm size range. Filters are changed each summer, according to manufacturer’s preventive maintenance cycle.
- En suite or private bathrooms are cleaned by occupants and cleaning supplies are available.
- Vacuums with exhaust equipped with High Efficiency Particulate Air filters (HEPA) are available for occupant use.
- Mattress covers are available from the building manager.
- When environmental concerns such as leaks, moisture, or mold concerns, arise in residence halls’ bathrooms, private, or common rooms, the building manager aims to address the issues as quickly as possible and works closely with Environmental Health and Safety Department (EH&S).
- Students should report moisture problems immediately.
- House Tutors are available to advise students if they need to have difficult conversations with room- or suitemates about room maintenance.
- If a temporary relocation is necessary, House Administrators will identify an available room.
The Building Managers in each House are responsible for the physical upkeep of their Houses. Attending to maintenance problems, providing housekeeping items, overseeing storage (where applicable), and managing House property are all under the Building Manager’s purview.
Your Responsibilities
- Maintain good housekeeping practices:
- Remove trash regularly.
- Clean and dust suite and restrooms on a regular basis.
- Vacuum carpets and scatter rugs and consider if they may be removed.
- Always allow wet or damp items to dry thoroughly before storing.
- Don’t allow water or wet items to sit on surfaces for prolonged periods.
- Use restroom exhaust fans during showering and don’t leave steam/humidity trapped in restrooms.
- Don’t block air supply diffusers or filtration units in your spaces.
- Report any water problems, including heating and air, ventilation, leaks and/or excess moisture in your room, immediately. Depending on the issue, a series of visits by building managers, trades personnel, and/or Environmental Health and Safety Department may be necessary to assess or repair maintenance issues.
You may submit routine maintenance requests online (requires HarvardKey authentication). Emergency or urgent maintenance needs (i.e. major leak, loss of heat in winter months, power outages, etc.) should be called into the Operations Center at 617-495-5560. The Operations Center is open 24/7.