About

The Administrative Board is the committee of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) responsible for the application and enforcement of undergraduate academic regulations and standards of social conduct. Established in 1890, the Administrative Board is among the oldest of the Faculty’s committees and it follows well-established procedures and practices that are designed to further the educational mission of the College.

The work of the Board lies in three areas: 1) evaluation of requests (called petitions) for exceptions to academic policies or rules, or for certain changes in course enrollment and registration; 2) review of students’ academic performance and fulfillment of degree requirements; and 3) resolution of alleged infractions of College rules, breaches of community standards, or other disciplinary matters. Additionally, the Board works with other offices within the College to help improve the Harvard College experience.

The Board is primarily concerned for the educational and personal growth of undergraduates, both as individuals and as members of an academic community. The Administrative Board's decisions are governed by the rules and regulations contained in the Handbook for Students, and guided by standard responses and considerations of equity. Every effort is made to provide fair treatment of each undergraduate relative to all other undergraduates.

All proceedings of the Board are confidential, though students who are charged with a violation of Faculty rules will be fully informed of the Board’s decisions, and in certain very limited circumstances students or faculty members making complaints will be informed of the disposition of cases.