Offices and Affiliates

Offices

Advances in Learning

The Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning (VPAL) offers faculty and students support and services to create the best, highest-quality 21st century learning and research environment (on campus, online, and beyond). The ultimate aim is to ensure that Harvard remains the leader in teaching and learning innovation. VPAL provides budgetary oversight of activities related to innovative learning, research on the science of learning, and related grants through strategic initiatives such as HarvardX and the Harvard Initiative on Learning and Teaching (HILT). VPAL works with the Schools to develop policies and best practices and foster closer collaboration with the Harvard Library, the museums, the Division of Continuing Education, and Harvard University Information Technology, as well as teaching and learning hubs such as the Bok Center. All activities are sustained through a combination of current use funding, and new fundraising. Revenue experiments are in process.

Climate and Sustainability

The Office of the Vice Provost for Climate and Sustainability (VPCS) functions across the University to accelerate and coordinate research and education on climate change, the environment, and sustainability.

Committee on General Scholarships

The Committee on General Scholarships is a standing committee of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. It offers programs that serve students in all of Harvard's graduate and professional schools. Its formal members are the Deans of the graduate and professional schools at Harvard, and of Harvard College, or the representatives whom they designate. Peggy Newell, Deputy Provost, is Chairperson of the Committee.

Office for Dispute Resolution

The Office for Dispute Resolution (“ODR”) is a neutral body that impartially investigates – under the procedures pursuant to the University’s policies ­– complaints of sexual harassment and/or other sexual misconduct against students, staff, and, with most Schools, faculty. ODR investigations are handled by professional, trained investigators working with the involved Schools and units. Any member of the Harvard community may reach out to ODR to request information or advice, including assistance in filing a formal complaint or in seeking informal resolution after a complaint has been filed.

Faculty Development and Diversity

Working closely with colleagues across the University, Faculty Development & Diversity oversees and guides institutional policies and practices in all areas of faculty affairs, providing intellectual leadership and coordination across the Schools to increase accountability and foster measurable progress in diverse domains such as faculty appointments, the quality of faculty members’ experiences at the University, faculty review, retention, and promotion, and support for pipeline programs.

Finance and Administration

The Office of the President and Provost Finance and Administration (OPP F&A) supports the President, Provost, and Executive Vice President in pursuing OPP’s finance, administration, and academic planning objectives.

OPP F&A’s portfolio of clients includes the units in the offices of the President, Provost, and the Executive Vice President (20+ units), the Allieds and Affiliates (8 institutions), central interfaculty and OPP Initiatives (12 organizations), school-based interfaculty initiatives (20+ organizations), and flow-through agencies (3 agencies).  OPP F&A directs the financial and strategic planning related to the annual budget development, multi-year plan, reporting, quarterly and year-end closes, accounting, compliance, and stewardship.  OPP F&A also provides administrative oversight related to organizational reviews and approval of FTEs (1200 FTEs), rationalization/organization of allocation and distribution of discretionary funds, and local implementation of new enterprise systems across OPP departments, affiliates, and initiatives.

The office oversees operations for buildings and spaces occupied by OPP constituents, including coordination and oversight of the Massachusetts Hall reception area which is the initial point of entrance for guests of the President, Provost, EVP, and University senior leadership.

Office for Gender Equity

The Office for Gender Equity empowers and supports the Harvard community to advance a climate of gender equity and inclusion through evidence-based educational initiatives, excellence in research and practice, and delivery of direct services. Harvard community members may choose to engage in one or more of the offerings provided by OGE: prevention and education initiatives; confidential counseling from Sexual Harassment/Assault Resource & Education (SHARE) staff; support from a Title IX Resource Coordinator; anonymous online reporting of concerns of sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct; and filing a formal complaint of sexual harassment or other sexual misconduct.

Institutional Research and Analytics

Through the collection, analysis, and presentation of key data, the Office of Institutional Research and Analytics supports decision making in the Office of the Provost, the Office of the President, and across the University. OIRA also serves as the primary University-level office for internal and external data reporting, including mandatory federal collections.

International Affairs

Harvard’s vast international engagement is led by its faculty and students. The Office of the Vice Provost for International Affairs promotes such engagement, coordinates international activities that cross Harvard schools, and oversees major new and existing international initiatives. The Vice Provost for International Affairs (VPIA) advises the Provost on international proposals and policies, consults with Deans and faculty members on international academic activities, and works with administrators across the University to implement international initiatives effectively.

Harvard Library

The Harvard Library advances scholarship and teaching by committing itself to the creation, application, preservation and dissemination of knowledge.

Research

The Office of the Vice Provost for Research (VPR) has broad responsibility and oversight for the review, development, and implementation of policies related to the organization and execution of academic research, especially in the sciences, and to aspects of the University's relations with industry. The VPR works with the provost, the deans, the executive vice president, and others to identify and ease practical impediments to interdisciplinary research, as Harvard increasingly pursues academic ventures involving multiple schools, departments, and affiliated institutions whose policies and practices may vary in ways that can constrain opportunities for collaborative work.

Special Projects

The mission of the Office of the Vice Provost for Special Projects is to address systemic inequities by developing and advancing visible, lasting, and effective action grounded in Harvard’s educational mission and guided by the recommendations and findings of the Presidential Committee on Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery.

Student Affairs

The Office of the Associate Provost for Student Affairs provides leadership and coordination between Harvard’s thirteen schools through collegial vision, creativity, and shared dedication in support of undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. It regularly assesses student needs and partners with the Council of Deans of Students to develop strategies for issues that impact students as well as identify opportunities for collaboration. The Student Affairs Office also works with Harvard University Health Services and key campus partners to promote student mental health and well-being across student communities.

Office of Technology Development

The Office of Technology Development (OTD) is responsible for all relationships between the University and the business and venture community pertaining to intellectual property, technology development and commercialization, licensing, large-scale strategic research alliances with industry, new venture formation, and industry-sponsored research.  Specifically, OTD is charged with protecting, supporting and advancing the development of new discoveries and inventions arising from Harvard’s research enterprise; catalyzing the formation of new, start-up companies; and generating sponsored research funding from industry.  

Harvard Trademark Program

The Harvard Trademark Program was established by the President and Fellows of Harvard College in order to protect Harvard’s trademarks; to regulate the use of the trademarks on products sold under license from the University; and, after covering its operational expenses, to help support Harvard’s student-aid initiatives with royalties received from the sale of licensed products. The Trademark Program also administers the University’s Use-of-Name policies and guidelines which govern the manner in which Harvard schools, departments, units, and the wider Harvard community may use the Harvard name and insignia. 

Affiliates

American Repertory Theater

The A.R.T. at Harvard University is a leading force in the American theater, producing groundbreaking work in Cambridge and beyond. The A.R.T. was founded in 1980 by Robert Brustein, who served as Artistic Director until 2002, when he was succeeded by Robert Woodruff. Diane Paulus began her tenure as Artistic Director in 2008. Under her leadership, the A.R.T. seeks to expand the boundaries of theater by programming events that immerse audiences in transformative theatrical experiences.

Arnold Arboretum

The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University discovers and disseminates knowledge of the plant kingdom to foster greater understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of Earth’s botanical diversity and its essential value to humankind.

Harvard Art Museums

Ever since their founding, the Harvard Art Museums—the Fogg Museum, Busch-Reisinger Museum, and Arthur M. Sackler Museum—have been dedicated to advancing and supporting learning at Harvard University, in the local community, and around the world. The museums have played a leading role in the development of art history, conservation, and conservation science, and in the evolution of the art museum as an institution. Through research, teaching, professional training, and public education, the museums strive to advance the understanding and appreciation of art. Programs encourage close looking at original works of art, collaboration with campus and community partners, and the production of new scholarship.

Harvard University Health Services

Harvard University Health Services (HUHS) is a multi-specialty medical practice dedicated to serving the Harvard community — including Harvard students, faculty, staff, retirees, and their dependents.

Harvard University Press

Founded in 1913, Harvard University Press is the publisher of such classic works as John Rawls’s A Theory of Justice, E. O. Wilson’s On Human Nature, and Helen Vendler’s Dickinson. The Press continues to be a leading publisher of convergent works in the sciences, humanities, and social sciences, while also taking bold steps in exciting new directions, from innovative partnerships, to a diverse translation program, to an expanded commitment to facilitating scholarly conversation around the globe.

Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard

Established in 1938, the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard administers the oldest fellowship program for journalists in the world. More than 1,300 journalists of accomplishment from 92 countries and territories have received Nieman Fellowships and benefited from a year of study and exploration at Harvard University.

Villa I Tatti

Since the first Fellows arrived in 1961, The Harvard University Center for Italian Renaissance Studies at Villa I Tatti has become the foremost research institution in the world for Italian Renaissance art, history, literature, and music. Harvard University inherited Villa I Tatti and its estate outside Florence from the distinguished art historian Bernard Berenson, together with his vast collection of books, photographs, and works of art.