STUDENT CLUBS
There are hundreds of student clubs throughout Harvard University, Harvard Medical School, and other Harvard schools, and you are free to join any of them. However, we do ask that you contact the club to confirm your eligibility, as some groups have limits to the number of HMS students they can allow. A few groups are given below:
● Students Interested in Gastroenterology & Nutrition
● HMS Culinary Medicine
● Lifestyle Medicine Interest Group
● HMS AI Lab (HAIL)
● LGBT and Allies at Harvard Medical School (LAHMS)
● GSAS Harvard Biotech Club: http://thebiotechclub.org
● GSAS Science Policy Group: https://projects.iq.harvard.edu/sciencepolicy/home
● Harvard Graduate Women In Science and Engineering (HGWISE): https://projects.iq.harvard.edu/hgwise/home
● MIT-Harvard Women in AI: https://mitharvardwai.github.io
● CampusGroups: https://hbs.campusgroups.com/health/home/
● Science In The News: http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/grad-student-calendar/
All student groups at HMS: https://www.hmshsdmstuco.com/student-group-directory
These links also have additional lists of student groups:
https://www.hio.harvard.edu/student-clubs
https://dso.college.harvard.edu/list-student-organizations
CAREER RESOURCES
While HMS doesn’t have an office for career services for Master’s students, the school has created a series of professional development workshops with topics ranging from applying to Ph.D. programs, preparing to apply to medical school, mock interviews, “charting your course” through graduate school, etc. These workshops have often been followed by networking events for graduate students. You can find more information at their website: https://careernavigator.gradeducation.hms.harvard.edu. For specific questions please contact pge_career_nav@hms.harvard.edu.
The graduate Office of Career Services can help you connect with professionals in your field of interest: https://ocs.fas.harvard.edu
WRITING AND TUTORING SERVICES
Questions about citation? Structure? Flow? Looking for a second set of eyes before submitting that paper? Need assistance with a fellowship or grant application?
Whether you’ve just begun brainstorming your assignment or are nearing the deadline and final edits, send your work as a WORD attachment to Naomi Hein for writing feedback at naomi_hein@hms.harvard.edu.
Meeting times are available Monday through Friday between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm ET. If there is a time outside these hours you would like to meet, arrangements can be made.
SAFETY
COVID-19 Safety Training course: https://www.ehs.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/safety_training_links_re...
Please visit the Harvard University Police Department website for details on how to stay safe at Boston and Cambridge: https://www.hupd.harvard.edu/your-role-staying-safe Make sure to register your laptop and bike with HUPD.
Depending on the situation, you can request HUPD to escort you back home. For additional questions about Harvard University Campus Escort Program (HUCEP) please contact hucep@hupd.harvard.edu.
Please save these numbers on your cell phones –
HUPD Emergency Number (Longwood campus): +1 617-432-1212
HUPD Emergency Number (Cambridge campus): +1 617-495-1212
911 is the emergency number for the police, fire department, and ambulance throughout the United States and Canada.
General tips for staying safe:
● Walk in groups.
● Do not walk with headphones in your ears.
● If you are out after dark, use only well-lit routes, make use of shuttle buses, escort van, and HUCEP, and travel in groups when possible.
● Know where the Blue Light phones are located on your route. If you use one, Harvard police will know your exact location.
● Sign up for MessageMe.
● When possible, share your location via your phone’s GPS (WhatsApp, Find My Friends [iPhone], Life360, TrackView, GeoZilla, etc.)
● Keep an “In case of emergency” card with you containing the name and phone number of your emergency contact in case your phone is not accessible.
HMS/HSDM/HSPH Ombuds Office
The Ombuds Office (Ombuds Office | Harvard Medical School) is here to support faculty, staff, students, and trainees, and appointees at the affiliated institutions with any issues affecting work or studies. Their website includes self-help resources (https://hms.harvard.edu/departments/ombuds-office/self-help-resources) to help you navigate on topics from how to have difficult conversations, handling conflict to negotiating effectively.
To schedule a confidential in-person, phone or Zoom appointment, contact robin_cheung@hms.harvard.edu or call 617-432-4041.
Confidential meetings will be with:
HMS/HSDM/HSPH Ombudsperson, Melissa Brodrick, melissa_brodrick@hms.harvard.edu, 617-432-4040
HMS/HSDM/HSPH Associate Ombudsperson, Justin Neiman, justin_neiman@hms.harvard.edu, 617-432-4043
The Ombudsperson can help explore concerns about:
● Career Management
● Work/Academic Environment
● Research
● Fair Treatment
● Interpersonal Relationships
● Harassment
● Discrimination
● Policies and Requirements
Title IX: https://titleix.harvard.edu/
The University responds to reports of sexual harassment, including sexual violence, as part of its efforts to stop the harassment and prevent the recurrence of possible sex discrimination. An individual who has questions or concerns regarding possible discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity should contact a Title IX Resource Coordinator at HMS. Mark Addison, Title IX Resource Coordinator for Students.
TRAVEL
● Harvard Transportation & Parking: Home
● In most cases, and most weather, walking or biking will be your best option if you live near campus.
○ You can get a BlueBikes annual membership for $80 by following the instructions here.
■ However, if you have joined a research lab, check whether you can get a better price by joining through your lab (MGH members can get it for $40; find your lab here).
○ If you choose to buy your own bike, consider purchasing a Kryptonite U-lock (not chain lock) and helmet. The Kryptonite company will provide insurance should your bicycle be stolen (provided you have filled out their form). Register your bike with HUPD. You can buy helmets and bike lights at a discounted rate at these locations.
● There is a Harvard University Shuttle Service between campus locations. HU Shuttle Services, like the M2 shuttle that connects Harvard University to HMS, are free to students and staff with HUID cards. There are routes that go to the Boston Medical area (Med School, Dental School, School of Public Health, teaching hospitals). You can download a Map of routes and “shuttle tracker” (TransLoc app) for your smartphone, as well as an interactive Campus map. Please note that the TransLoc app may not be 100% accurate.
If you live close to Harvard University, you can download the Harvard Evening Van app (more info here). It allows you to book a free shuttle to travel within the covered area (which you can see on the app).
● MBTA issues student passes for the months of September to December, but the deadline to fill out the form is usually in August. This 4-month pass costs $320 ($80 per month).
● You can rent cars by the hour at ZipCar. They have a discount for Harvard affiliates. More information here.
● Parking is horrendously expensive in Cambridge, so don’t even think about driving to HMS on a regular basis.
FITNESS
All Harvard students have a free gym membership at Harvard University Recreation - Official Athletics Website. Right now, they offer virtual classes on Zoom. You can also get a personal trainer. The Recreation website also features sports clubs that you can join.
If you attend any Harvard sporting event, be sure to download the CrimZone Rewards App to win prizes! CrimZone - Apps on Google Play CrimZone on the App Store
MENTAL HEALTH
● Harvard provides support groups and yoga/meditation/pilates classes, which may be in-person or on Zoom.
○ Support groups: Workshops and Groups | Counseling and Mental Health Services
○ Yoga/meditation/massage: Our Services | Center for Wellness and Health Promotion
● If you would like to consult with a therapist, you can book a consult on http://patient.uhs.harvard.edu/ using your Harvard email. Therapy is covered by your student insurance.
● If you require urgent mental health care, you can either call them at 617-495-2042 to talk or to schedule a same-day appointment with a clinician at the Smith Campus Center. More information: Find Help Now | Counseling and Mental Health Services