Parties

Parties are part of the college experience, and the Winthrop House Team wants to support you and make sure you stay safe while having a good time. With these goals in mind, we ask that, if you plan to host a party, you observe the following rules. (For parties in a House common space and/or events in Winthrop hosted by a student organization, please contact Paris Sanders, the Winthrop House Administrator.)

  1. Well in advance of your planned party, meet with your entryway tutor and complete a party registration form (see below). Party forms for parties on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday are due by 12pm Friday; otherwise by 12pm the day of the party. Unapproved parties will be shut down to the great chagrin of everyone involved. If your party registration has been submitted on time and approved, you will receive an email from Sarah Caughey, the Winthrop House Academic Coordinator, confirming that you can go ahead with your party.
  2. Parties with alcohol are allowed only on Friday and Saturday nights.
  3. End your party by 11 p.m. (Sun-Thurs) or 2 a.m. (Fri-Sat), to respect the House quiet hours.
  4. Parties in suites must be contained within the suite and must not overflow into the hallway. Room/suite doors may not be propped open.
  5. Know and abide by Massachusetts Law and Harvard College rules governing alcohol and entertainment.
  6. Post signs stating that guests must be 21 to drink. Ensure that any guest not personally known to you to be 21 produces identification. Do not allow underage friends to drink alcohol.
  7. Food and non-alcoholic beverages must be provided at any party at which alcohol is served. WISP grants are available to cover the cost of food and non-alcoholic beverages at registered parties (whether they have alcohol or not). More info at https://wellness.huhs.harvard.edu/wisp-grants.
  8. Smoking is not permitted inside any Harvard College building. You are responsible for enforcing this rule during your party, and for responding promptly to any complaints from your neighbors about smoke.
  9. Anticipate crashing by outsiders attracted by music or word of mouth. Ask friends to be ready to assist you in asking uninvited guests to leave. Discuss with your entryway tutor what to do in the event that your party attracts too many people. Parties must not spill out into the hallways, stairwells or courtyards. Please remind your guests to be quiet in these and all other public areas of the House.
  10. You are responsible for cleaning up. Collect and remove all trash when your party ends (i.e., do not leave it until the next morning), including in public areas like hallways and stairwells. And please recycle your empties. Any damage should be reported to the House Building Manager.

    Cleaning supplies are available in the House: see https://winthrop.harvard.edu/cleaning-supplies for details. Make sure you know where they are and make sure to use them as needed.

    If there is any mess or damage after your event, you may be term billed for the costs of cleaning or repairs.
  11. Remember that you are responsible for your guests' safety and behavior. Please be aware of the College's Help-Seeking Policy, described in the Student Handbook: "Students seeking medical treatment for themselves or another person for the effects of drug or alcohol use will not be subject to disciplinary action from the College for violations pertaining to the use or provision of drugs or alcohol. Sources of help might include: HUHS or other medical providers; College residential life staff; and HUPD or other police or security officers." Please see the handbook for the full policy.