Inspired by feedback to date, note the following three areas of focus ("pillars") of safety—physical, mental and emotional, and belonging and social. Overlap exists within these pillars, and as such, all safety resources in the full campus safety ecosystem may not fit neatly into one of these categories and/or may intersect with multiple pillars. These broad pillars are intended to serve as launching ground for specific and actionable input from individual community members.

Physical Safety

There are units, protocols, and supports in place on campus specifically intended to prevent and respond to bodily harm as well as enable a safe physical environment, including but not limited to: the Harvard University Police Department (campus security, crime prevention and investigation), Environmental Health & Safety (emergency protocols management; buildings, laboratory, and facilities safety; safety training), and the HUHS multi-specialty medical practice providing urgent and primary care.

Mental and Emotional Safety

In addition to access to formal counseling services, there exists a network of pathways for community members to seek resources that address issues related to acute emotional distress; unlawful discrimination; mental illness; burnout; stigma; structural inequities; adverse life events; interpersonal conflict and violence; insufficient resources for basic needs; and environmental stressors, including but not limited to: the University’s Counseling and Mental Health Services (CAHMS), the Center for Wellness and Health Promotion, the Office for Gender Equity (OGE), the Employee Assistance Program (EAP/KGA), and the Harvard Ombuds Office. Exploration of this safety pillar will occur in coordination with the efforts of the Implementation Committee for Student Mental Health and Wellness where overlap exists.

Belonging and Social Safety

Belonging connotes full membership in the Harvard community—not merely formal participation, but also rewarding participation for all members of a diverse campus community in the opportunities, resources, and decision-making structures of the campus. Accountability to one another is important and essential to creating a sense of belonging. This encompasses concepts such as: expectation setting around academic safety; freedom of expression and ideological safety; residential support; inclusive pedagogy; and Title IX and gender equity resources; and is in coordination with the efforts of the Office for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging; Harvard Human Resources, and others.