Student Business Activity

Harvard permits undergraduates to undertake modest levels of business activities on campus, subject to approval by the Harvard College Business Advisery Committee. Students may be required to move businesses entirely off-campus should they disrupt residential life, compromise the educational environment, or jeopardize the nonprofit status of the University or any exemption of its income or property from federal, state or local taxation.

A "business activity" is any activity carried on by a student that is intended to or does generate revenue or trade, whether or not for profit, and is not an individual employment or independent contractor relationship.

Students must apply for approval if they wish to:

• establish a new business enterprise that will operate on campus during the academic year; during the summer, or any other recess period
• operate on campus during the academic year a business established prior to their enrollment in Harvard College, or established during the summer or any other recess period; or
• operate on campus during the academic year an earlier approved business that has substantially changed its purpose, operations, or size since it was first approved.

Application for approval must be made to the Office of the Dean of Harvard College by filing a "Harvard College Student Business Activity Proposal" (www.college.harvard.edu/student/activities/business/). Students whose proposals are approved may be required, when the Committee deems it a necessary condition of approval, to sign a contract for the use of computers and networks. Approvals are given for the period 9/1-8/31 and students must re-apply annually.

Compliance with the following general restrictions, mentioned elsewhere in the Handbook, also apply to student business enterprises. Use of the Harvard name or logo in conjunction with a business enterprise is prohibited (page 438). All regulations concerning safety and the use of rooms must be observed (page 344). The compilation or redistribution of information from University directories (printed or electronic) is forbidden (page 311). Use of library resources for commercial purposes is prohibited (page 388). General regulations concerning use of computers and networks must be observed (page 310). Excessive data traffic on Harvard's computer network is not allowed.

In addition, approval of business activities requires a demonstration that care will be taken to avoid excessive use of University resources, misuse of University facilities and information provided primarily for Harvard's teaching and research missions, and activities that might jeopardize the tax-exempt status of the University or its property. Approval to operate businesses will be conditioned upon the student's establishment of a means of communication with customers separate from those provided by the University for educational purposes. No student may list his or her dormitory address, campus mailing address or telephone number, Harvard email or Internet address, or Harvard website in conjunction with any business enterprise, or in any way suggest that Harvard endorses or sponsors the business. Harvard reserves the right to restrict or control student business use of its resources, facilities, academic product, copyrighted materials, and institutional data.

Student businesses are considered outside vendors by the College and must follow the Handbook rules concerning solicitation on campus (page 438). Sales activities are permitted only with permission and at the discretion of the office granting permission (e.g. the Director of Student Employment or the Office of the Dean). Distribution of materials on campus must be conducted through Harvard Student Agencies (www.harvardstudentagencies.com/distribution/). Student businesses are not allowed to poster or door drop on campus.

Other areas of concern, which could cause the business enterprise to lose approval, include:

• Excessive use of Harvard's paper mail system.
• Activity by a student as a corporate agent or commercial solicitor for a business.
• Other activities that compromise the educational collegiality of the Harvard community by coloring with a profit motive the day-to-day interactions among students, faculty, and other College officers.
• Excessive foot traffic or movement of goods into or out of University buildings.
• Activities that interfere with roommates' rights to use common spaces for their own residential purposes.
• Commitment of time and effort to a commercial activity to an extent that compromises a student's academic or personal well-being.

Approval to operate a student business activity may require the applicant to consult with affected University departments in advance of final approval.