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Media Policy

Harvard policies about filming and taking photographs on campus

SEAS follows these guidelines for the Media, Filming, Photography, and Recording. 

Note: Filming in labs and other facilities IS permitted, provided you obtain prior approval and clearance with the SEAS Communications Office.

The following guidelines have been established to protect the privacy of all members of the Harvard community and to promote an environment conducive to learning. We appreciate your cooperation.

  1. Reporters, photographers, video/motion picture cameras, and media recording equipment are not permitted inside classrooms, dormitories, dining halls, or any other private spaces.
  2. Faculty members may invite reporters, photographers or film crews into their own private offices and laboratories for interviews and/or filming. Faculty members are asked to please advise media staff that photography or filming of hallways, lounges or other spaces adjacent to the faculty member's office or elsewhere in the building is not permitted. Faculty members may also invite reporters, photographers or film crews into private studies located within Harvard College Libraries, but should obtain a media pass, in advance, from the HCL communications office.
  3. Only exteriors of buildings may be photographed or filmed. The University News Office must approve filming and photography of the exterior of any FAS building, in advance. To request a permission form, call 617-495-1585. This permission form must be completed in advance of shooting, and the photographers or film crew must carry the form with them during the shoot.
  4. Please secure the permission, in advance, of any students who will be photographed or filmed in wide shots of the Yard or elsewhere on SEAS and campus premises.
  5. Special events, conferences, seminars, speeches, etc. may be recorded or filmed by the Harvard sponsoring organization, for archival purposes only. Such recording may not be sold or distributed to other internal or external organizations.
  6. Filming of and reporting on intercollegiate athletic events is permitted, but must be arranged through the Harvard Athletics Department in accordance with their policies.
  7. Filming and reporting of exhibitions and special events inside museums and performance spaces may be permitted at the discretion of the management of the venue, and should be arranged with the venue's media relations staff, in advance.
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