Medical Clearance for Return to Residence

After a hospitalization or emergency room visit by one of its students, Harvard College will not permit that student to return to living on campus without making its own assessment of the suitability of the student returning to campus.

To better inform that assessment, Harvard University Health Services (HUHS) should be notified of any hospitalization or emergency department visit (617-495-5711). The Stillman Infirmary of HUHS is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week to students who are temporarily unable to reside in a dormitory.

Reason for Policy

A student who is injured, ill, or exhibiting disturbing or disruptive behavior may require ongoing care. Serious alcohol- or drug-related problems, in particular, have the potential to disrupt dormitory life significantly and impair a student's ability to function academically and socially. Harvard College regards as unreasonable the expectation that roommates, suitemates, friends, or residential staff will take on health care responsibilities for other students.

Any student may, of course, refuse to allow consultation between his or her clinician(s) and Harvard College, but such a refusal will not prevent the College from making a decision regarding a student's return to residence.