Student Clubs
These policies have one over-arching goal: to make clear that student club activities are club activities and not Harvard Business School activities.
When judging your club materials (posters, Web site, etc.), take a step back and ask yourself if a neutral observer might mistake them for School materials (instead of club materials). If the answer is "yes", a clearer communication that they are coming from your student club is needed.
"Harvard Business School" and the name and shield logos are registered trademarks and their use is governed by explicit rules and guidelines.
THE BIG PICTURE
These policies have one over-arching goal: to make clear that student club activities are club activities and not Harvard Business School activities.
When judging your club materials (posters, Web site, etc.), take a step back and ask yourself if a neutral observer might mistake them for School materials (instead of club materials). If the answer is "yes", a clearer communication that they are coming from your student club is needed.
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Clubs are student-run organizations and their events, promotions, lectures, conferences, etc. are sponsored by the clubs - not Harvard Business School.
Therefore, "Harvard Business School (or HBS) Biochemistry Symposium" is incorrect. The correct title would be " Science Club Biochemistry Symposium" or simply "Biochemistry Symposium."
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Naming Your Club
Clubs may not include "Harvard Business School," "HBS," or "Harvard" in their official club name. Either "Student Clubs of HBS, Inc" or "A Student Club at Harvard Business School" must accompany club names on all marketing materials - web, print, t-shirts, mugs, etc.
Correct Formats
Fiction Club, Student Clubs of HBS, Inc.
(must be used in club contracts)
Fiction Club, a Student Club at Harvard Business School
Incorrect Formats
Harvard Business School Fiction Club
HBS Fiction Club
(with the exception of the (grandfathered) HBS Show)
Harvard Fiction Club
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Logo Use: Print & Digital
HBS NAME & SHIELD LOGOs
Official HBS logos may only be used with the club name in the lock-up shown below. Do not attempt to recreate the logos or alter them in any way.
Standard Lock-Up
The lock-up shown below is available for use online and in print (provided guidelines above are followed). The lock-up can be requested from Marketing & Communications.
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Original Logos
Original club logos may not incorporate the HBS name or shield logos in any way. The official shield logo should not be visually referenced in any way. To identify HBS, the full legal club name must be used, as in the example below.
Clubs must utilize an outside vendor to create original logos.
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Logo Use: Products & Merchandise
The Harvard Trademark Program requires that all products (t-shirts, etc.) depicting the official logos be produced by licensed vendors. Many clubs use the Student Association, which as a licensee of the University is authorized to produce such items. If another vendor is chosen (including MSP Digital in the basement of Spangler), prior written approval must be obtained from the Harvard Trademark Program.
*Please Note: If your club would like to use stationery or envelopes with the name and/or shield logo, you MUST go through the Student Association.
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Uniforms (special case)
Club uniforms worn in competition are a special case and may include the official logos, but only when the following design is used (shirt color may vary (files are available for either a light or dark shirt color) and numbers are optional).
Email the MBA Student Clubs team to request the design files (please specify light or dark shirt color).
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Requesting Graphics
Standard Lock-Up
The lock-up shown below is available for use online and in print (provided guidelines above are followed). The lock-up can be requested from Marketing & Communications.
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Online Photo Library
To provide cost-effective and high-quality imagery of the campus, staff/faculty, and students to use in HBS print and web publications, we offer a photo library online.
Usage Rights for Clubs: The School tries to purchase club usage rights for photo shoots whenever feasible so photos will be available to the clubs without a fee. These photos can be found by:
finding the "Online Photo Library" section on this page,
logging in as described,
and choosing "Clubs" on the initial splash screen (at upper right of the modal window).
Photo rights labels can be found in database, in the single photo viewer sidebar. Student clubs can use any photo marked "Unlimited" or "Clubs" in the Usage Rights field. If you would like a photo that is marked "Restricted" or "School-wide," you will need to negotiate a usage fee with the photographer. For details on how to request a photo, see the "Online Photo Library" section of our Photography page.
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Websites
A club url should indicate that the site is sponsored by a student club and not by HBS or Harvard.
Correct
wsahbsclub.com
design-hbsclub.com
thevcpeconference.com
Incorrect
wsahbs.com
hbsdesignclub.com
hbsvcpeconference.com
Clubs are required to submit proposed urls to the MBA Student Clubs team prior to purchase for review and approval.
When using the club lock-up logo that incorporates the HBS name logo or shield logo, the website’s homepage must state:
“The Harvard name and the VERITAS shield are trademarks of the President and Fellows of Harvard College and are used by permission of Harvard University.”
Club websites should not display company names and/or logos on the main homepage. Club websites must have a separate web page designated to display company sponsorships.
These guidelines also apply to registration pages hosted by event management sites (i.e., Eventbrite, etc.).
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Social Media
Follow the guidelines below when representing a student club on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Naming Convention: Club name followed by "at HBS" (e.g., "Entrepreneurship Club at HBS")
Positioning Statement: The following statement should be added to a club's bio or description on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. "This is a student-run page (or group) and is not managed by Harvard Business School (HBS)."
Graphics: All official student clubs can obtain standard Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn graphics from Marketing & Communications. Please note, these graphics are only to be used on the social media channels for which they have been designed. Clubs may design original social media graphics but must follow logo guidelines in the Logo Use: Print & Digital section above.
Questions?
If you have any concerns or questions, please contact MBA Student Clubs.