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Information for Spouses & Partners

A Gentle Touch



Can my spouse or partner use the athletic facilities?

Family memberships must be purchased in person at the Ticket Office. Only spouses and/or same-sex domestic partners and children of Harvard affiliates are eligible for family memberships. Either the Harvard affiliate or the family member can appear in person and must have the Harvard affiliate’s ID card or a photocopy of the ID card. The Athletic Ticket Office is located on the first floor of the Murr Center, 65 North Harvard St. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Click here for pricing.


Can my spouse or partner use Harvard libraries?

Spouses or partners of graduate students in the Harvard community can get both library access and borrowing privileges at all Harvard College Libraries, and most University Libraries (including Langdell). A Graduate Spouse Special Borrower Card should be acquired from the Library Privileges Office at Widener Library, room 130 (614-495-4166). Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. The spouse/partner needs to go to the office in person and bring the Harvard ID of the Harvard affiliate or a photocopy of the ID. If the last name of the Harvard affiliate and the spouse/partner are different, please bring proof that you reside at the same address (lease, utility bill, etc.). The cost of the card is $3.


Is my spouse or partner eligible for a Harvard ID card?

Because Harvard University has approximately 50,000 students and benefits-eligible employees at any given time, the additional demands that would be placed on libraries, athletic facilities, etc. by these affiliates’ spouses/partners would be impossible for the facilities to handle. Therefore, there are no cards available to spouses/partners that provide University-wide privileges. The only exception to this rule is beneficiaries of deceased Harvard employees receiving retirement benefits.

Some facilities offer their own cards or access privileges on a fee-for-service basis. For more information, contact the facility you wish to use.


For International Students:

The Harvard University International Office (617-495-2789) staff offers assistance on matters such as English classes, social and cultural activities, volunteer opportunities, childcare & schools, and work authorization for spouses/partners. Call for further information or for an appointment to discuss any issues you might have.


Harvard Law Couples Association

The purpose of the HLCA is to introduce students, their partners and/or children to Harvard Law School and to provide an opportunity to meet other families within the community. Their main focus is to support students and their families while enhancing their experience at Harvard.

Harvard Student Spouses and Partners Association (HSSPA)

HSSPA is an organization open to spouses and partners of all Harvard students. Since 1896, it has provided a way for its members to make friends, find intellectual stimulation and, most of all, feel a sense of belonging within the University.




The information on this page has been researched and provided by the Dean of Students Office. If you find that any of this information is no longer current, or if you have additional questions that are not answered here, please contact the Dean of Students Office.