With current Massachusetts limits on gatherings and remote work the norm, on- and off-campus events are more limited and have revised guidance.

HBS Operations offers general guidance on planning both in-person and virtual events (login required). Virtual meetings and events are strongly encouraged for faculty and staff at this time. In-person student organization events are permitted under the following protocols.

Student Organization Events are defined as afternoon or evening events or weekend/holiday day trips (no overnight stays) on campus or within the state of Massachusetts. These events are organized by recognized student organizations, including:

• Sections
• MBA student clubs
• Student Association
• Joint-Degree Associations

Event attendance limits are as follows:

• Outdoors = 50 (if food/drink served, limit is 10)
• Indoors = 25 (no food/drink)

Informal, Non-Student Organization Events are defined as any event not organized and executed by a student organization. These events are limited to 10 students on- and off-campus (within the state of Massachusetts), and are required to adhere to all applicable health & safety guidelines.

Quarantine policy reminder: Any students who travel outside of Massachusetts (including on day trips) must follow HBS’s latest quarantine protocol upon return.

Event attendees are expected to:

1. Register for the event on Engage@HBS.
2. Enter event at designated entry point; stepping between rope barriers is not permitted.
3. Keep mask on at all times, except when eating or drinking a beverage, and maintain 6' of physical distance at all times.
4. Adhere to all applicable health and safety guidelines.

 

Event organizers are expected to:

1. Adhere to the HBS outdoor capacity limits (50, but if food/drink served, 10).
2. Arrive 15 minutes prior to event start time.
3. Staff entrance (or ensure entrance is staffed) for event duration.
4. Check in and allow access to only those attendees who registered on Engage@HBS.
   • Utilize the Engage@HBS Event Pass app.
5. Monitor overall event and attendee compliance with health and safety guidelines.
6. Promptly and effectively respond to any concerns related to event guidelines raised by HBS staff members.

Event attendees are expected to:

1. Register for the event on Engage@HBS.
2. Enter event at designated door. Entering through any other door is not allowed.
3. Keep mask on at all times and, after entry, maintain 6' of physical distance at all times.
4. Do not consume food, which is prohibited at indoor events.
5. Practice "consumer then cover" protocols if choosing to bring a single non-alcoholic beverage in a personal container.
6. Adhere to all applicable health and safety guidelines.

 

Event organizers are expected to:

1. Adhere to the HBS indoor capacity limits (25, with no food/drink).
2. Arrive 15 minutes prior to event start time.
3. Staff entrance (or ensure entrance is staffed) for event duration.
4. Check in and allow access to only those attendees who registered on Engage@HBS.
   • Utilize the Engage@HBS Event Pass app.
5. Monitor overall event and attendee compliance with health and safety guidelines.
6. Promptly and effectively respond to any concerns related to event guidelines raised by HBS staff members.

Event attendees are expected to:

1. Register for the event on Engage@HBS.
2. Adhere to whichever safety protocols are more restrictive:
   • HBS campus safety protocols:
     • Indoors, masks at all times;
     • Outdoors, masks at all times except when eating/drinking; 6’ physical distancing at all times; or
   • Local municipality and venue safety protocols. (When eating/drinking at an indoor off-campus venue, follow their guidance on masks and physical distancing.)
3. Adhere to all applicable health and safety guidelines.

 

Event organizers are expected to:

1. Adhere to whichever capacities are more restrictive:
   • HBS capacity limits (50 for outdoors, 10 for outdoors with food/drink, and 25 indoors with no food/drink); or
   • Local municipality and venue limits.
2. Confirm venue-specific requirements.
3. Avoid planning events that are concurrent (same or overlapping time) and co-located (happening in the same general location) as other events.
   • More than one student organization event taking place in close enough proximity to another, enabling a high likelihood of interaction between participants of separate events, is prohibited.
   • Example of prohibited co-location:
     • Two or more outdoor events taking place in the same park or outdoor space.
   • Example of compliant event:
     • Two or more events occurring simultaneously, organized by the same club, taking place in different towns.
4. Check in and allow access to only those attendees who registered on Engage@HBS.
   • Utilize the Engage@HBS Event Pass app.
5. Ensure overall and individual participant compliance with HBS or municipality safety protocols, whichever are more restrictive.

 

Failure to adhere to any of the guidance detailed above can result in individual (i.e. Community Values) or organizational accountability (loss of club/section privileges; dissolution of club in extreme circumstances).