#  FAQs 

 



 ##  

  expand\_more  

 
  

 

### About the Office of the General Counsel

- [Can I retain outside counsel for a University matter?](/book/can-i-retain-outside-counsel-university-matter)
- [Does the OGC represent or give legal advice to faculty members or employees in their individual capacities?](/book/does-ogc-represent-or-give-legal-advice-faculty-members-or-employees-their-individual)
- [Does the OGC represent students?](/book/does-ogc-represent-students)
- [How can I contact the Office of the General Counsel?](/book/how-can-i-contact-office-general-counsel)
- [What type of legal services does the OGC provide?](/book/what-type-legal-services-does-ogc-provide)
- [Where should process servers be directed to serve the University, or its schools, institutes, centers and the like with subpoenas, summonses, etc?](/book/where-should-process-servers-be-directed-serve-university-or-its-schools-institutes-centers)
- [Who does the Office of the General Counsel represent?](/book/who-does-office-general-counsel-represent)
- [Is what I tell you confidential? ](/book/what-i-tell-you-confidential)

### Doing Business Online

- [What is email spam and how is it regulated?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EWHrmbuPku5IhFauIP8Rvy4BKAcGMDYcMEb4MZOa1SGRJw) (Login required)
- [How do I determine if my email I send on Harvard business must comply with the requirements of the CAN-SPAM Act? ](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EVP-KnwYt4VEpEdKHNMeOc8BrgT3xJX6zL2_oPVg5Yw61A?e=U0f43O)(Login required)
- [How do I determine what the "primary purpose" of my email is?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/ETUFukADAZJHvrXUxICBEwMBrnND5QYAoXqT1EAXCoLabg?e=0nxUBv) (Login required)
- [What do I need to do if my email is "commercial"? ](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EXskCegKuoxAicKzh0rVcfQB1DlJ6iU2VhE6l4zHvxsS2Q?e=IFwGxA)(Login required)
- [What do I need to do if my email is a "transactional or relationship" message?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/ETpQM7jX_91MjqpZLGTrv5QBokO3Mq2KsRhnZGx-6zEeMA?e=rkaoRw) (Login required)
- [What are the penalties for noncompliance? ](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EW3HlvGsSd9EsAlKx9LVf64BvBjivm1Up3JJumXKHvrKeQ?e=yANXWm)(Login required)
- [What is an electronic signature?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EcVM45tB70FIlnupnD_88kEBTlg5FsEHzYXAOY4Uw_6JoA?e=G71amu) (Login required)
- [If a signature is required on a document, is an electronic signature acceptable?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EahQ9bupvqFNqq6U7CBKtP8B9Kh-64E02Q0Wj9S8Ki-71Q?e=ZjqZ5x)(Login required)
- [Are there documents that cannot be signed electronically?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EZA0MAllNnhBjd4nTxqamn4BcNJlAuUBA2l5PjL2SCyTIg?e=4DhhK5) (Login required)
- [If my office requires certain documents to be notarized when submitted to Harvard, can we accept a notary signature that has been signed electronically? ](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EWijX6lSlnRCjOWmpM-cOcIBWCT0WkP8bLWpcGOgWWySPg?e=U8vPoq)(Login required)
- [Can my Harvard School or department accept an electronic signature for the release of educational records under FERPA?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EdupdU4lHHlNo9US84tI3SgBSPLQuzIhCb-gkjBVsFGw8g?e=9DqXh4) (Login required)
- [If my Harvard school or department wishes to encourage agreements to be signed electronically, such as agreements provided to users over a website, what steps should be taken to effectuate this choice and comply with law? ](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/Ef4ft65FI1tPg5s38zVvXbwBkVhJgw7lc9MzhyghNXiAdA?e=WvuTdh)(Login required)
- [There are companies that offer services for obtaining and maintaining electronic signatures, can I use such services? ](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/ESAZk_fvkrNCr0WOGYLQy3wBWJHjTOv1J8llzTsefR0k7Q?e=rupAOR)(Login required)

### Employment

- [When may an individual appropriately be classified as a trainee or unpaid intern?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/Eb7pfcHwWMpFlidnyvy6Bv0BXqEbFU0GFGf-Yl1wRzwDHQ?e=fJsShl) (Login required)
- [When may an individual appropriately be classified as a volunteer?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EZGjTdVX7dhIr7Cy41D5Jp0Bn-n441QZQf-V1E02zZlz3w?e=gxwpq2) (Login required)
- [May Harvard employees donate volunteer services to the university?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/Eato0XvfXhVAi06PmRkkMpwByyNj-rwb8Vm-NYBvB9M6pQ?e=ZOfrxu) (Login required)
- [May a volunteer be paid a stipend?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EQSTqBcW7XBDmpSmqMz6oVcB0cLGaq4K2nbqtTnx2FYVDg?e=mujuyd) (Login required)
- [Is there any problem with hiring employees to work outside of Massachusetts or with leasing space outside of Massachusetts?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EWhNsg0AuyZMs0b4b5CYEJABotYllCrK2GYZqUptkVfhcQ?e=sWXAIt) (Login required)
- [Waiver Requirements For Group Layoffs Under The Older Workers Benefit Protection Act ](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/ETPYiUuQiw5Nt2rrtWDpKvoB9_VxXN4IxErtAHmleZ0Kqw?e=ajCCHb)(Login required)
- [Are student employees covered by the Massachusetts earned sick time law?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EYwDxDIiteJKinb2RyFyCsYBDTs_C9v7jV2C1Bex8DWvGA?e=ksL8dO) (Login required)

### Event Planning

- [In what situations should you seek a release from a speaker or a presenter? ](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EeOtNRrDMaFKtNhd4CwjOpcBFvOXm5ZzLpwAa0PDyJaLCQ?e=IpEOse)(Login required)
- [Can Harvard pay an honorarium or travel expenses to an individual traveling on a diplomatic visa? ](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/ETJPVAjkMadFhza7EvssF0cBbaddKoGsOACCOo0-nEP0Rw?e=Ya7POy)(Login required)
- [What are the state laws that apply to gaming night fundraisers for Harvard or student groups? ](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EeQBeLS6R9FLvo4OP8C8FI8BGpX2HKo_hFIarAD4NRLWYA?e=tycxZv)(Login required)
- [How can Harvard or a student group hold a raffle as a fundraiser?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/ETJbkxVr331Jn084bwdNeGsByQyb7pqmW5b0pO1j8eEaFw?e=5p7ihM) (Login required)
- [May my Harvard department, unit, or school hold an auction to raise money for a charity without first securing a permit? ](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/ESbb6cgF0fVMpbU_ry7q4CsBqnttovgcFoGz_4B2iY6TQw?e=QR9U12)(Login required)

### Governance

- [How is Harvard organized?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EUoccyoEa0lBtQas2xQFfygBq1ASqkgqi0rg3r40W9Fxpg?e=ZDtvgw) (Login required)
- [Where is the Harvard Seal?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/ETKKVFdVorJMv2OP1l6MGIoBhgUxTVfDBvRhs05pH1hPUg?e=x0vFnT) (Login required)
- [What is Harvard Management Company, and what does it do?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EUrHFTVWqxRKnWlNHaLBG7oBoPX9JIHWWZuE9RyZJMrenw?e=kEwumB) (Login required)
- [Is Harvard permitted to engage in lobbying activities?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EWh78of0ImNIldX4U3xD5U4B3vt4EHv7q97ni_UTcMvc5A?e=maZaeQ) (Login required)
- [Are the Harvard Clubs that operate in cities all over the world part of Harvard University?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/ESAZ_-hhCN5CrF8z7jQCbosBldptFHgqam54UKRGJ4FhlQ?e=9yZKfx) (Login required)
- [If my department receives a request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) for Harvard documents, must it comply?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EYW7Px8xwWNGtXr6iZFu8z4ByQr8X6fWP3ZUCs2vvEUdRg?e=e0DKRG) (Login required)

### Minors

- [What are the rules about minors at Harvard? (Login required)](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EROLQed-An5ClLQy693SLowBfQIxb57sqQozxlj5UKlg5Q)

### Privacy and Copyright

For additional information regarding copyright, see “[*Copyright and Fair Use: A Guide for the Harvard Community.*](/pages/copyright-and-fair-use)”

- [May I publish a person's photograph without permission?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EURz24_kQGlIrwIzx2nz9hEBjmwjUnambPtdmmavWHsUoA?e=wFxfZQ) (Login required)
- [Does it matter whether the publication is in print or on the web?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EQUVmjfIaZBDlFYaTOh6OZYBdet5agYrgq523CQP1WSABw?e=5uk7I4) (Login required)
- [Does it matter if the person photographed is famous?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EcWhg3BJk3lBkwtujLkKkeoBGE8Xal3N-utIAFxiJ7Wvfg?e=19hr1v) (Login required)
- [Who owns the copyright in a photograph taken for a Harvard publication?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EevxzWol3ExEkgJJXzVGGGAB8-qeFsDo8TZH2rGgy78Zcw?e=BfQmIo) (Login required)
- [Do I need permission to reprint a photograph that was previously published in another Harvard publication?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/ERYBGbGqraVPtTR6cv01DR8BMkhnfU_OOqBE-hnYNPZ1Bg?e=QrVQM5) (Login required)
- [Do I need permission to reprint a photograph from a non-Harvard publication? ](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EQ_MmX_ki2JDqBTtuK3oy0wBGr3hxuR9SxsJjahDyVGN-A?e=IFEhIi)(Login required)
- [Do I need permission to show a film in a class?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EYN8rD-eHeJPj72oOAKHYawBJKwx5xzEWdmDBBNDY1CF-Q?e=jMA8yn) (Login required)
- [Do I need permission to show a film at an event?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/Ef5IPxO4dOdGo5Ltn0aKfXABUDGC6WKS3dtj5gkW79LwiA?e=Buvog1) (Login required)
- [If I plan to videotape a course, do I need permission from students in order to include them in the video? ](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EdV29NqvDr1JqcnONFU6GJQBh8iBHV-7uWQDviCdwFbsMQ?e=BGOfN3)(Login required)
- [The publisher of my academic article requires that I obtain a waiver of Harvard's Open Access Policy. How do I obtain this waiver? ](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EQW3-6DfKZFEgINF87_yPy8BzKXnVgunl85X6PD61jX6Qw?e=MLbUb2)(Login required)

### Real Estate

- [What is needed if one academic department wishes to "rent" space to another Harvard department? ](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EQsE_VWn6olPkU8QctwnRBsB2O4dsIM1YQ3Kgh_073m24A?e=UOzfga)(Login required)

### Research

- [Are there any university policies that affect a faculty member's ability to engage in independent, commercial or other outside activities such as consulting?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/ERbarvnEpQ1MjYlDdQCsaS8BrDkMUO-qPcHZsKGm1Sk7kw?e=ouBea1) (Login required)
- [What legal issues should a faculty member consider before engaging in consulting and other outside activities?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EcOnH5OipKtJpdmUWo8PahIBTs5DI97f7fyV1wRj6dl9kw) (Login required)
- [What are the export-control laws?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EfYMW9fl43BItXNU_E-tPtcBgHRb67eeBQpFc05J-Y9b0w?e=nqRboG) (Login required)
- [What is the "fundamental research exemption" to the export-control laws?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EaJSApRtqCtErH2a1cp5idAB2_IDGp3zAT7DchC-5GNrUg?e=xYtk8o) (Login required)
- [What are the penalties for violating the export-control laws?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EUX7OQnxiYVAmlBE4MWK6T4BhhaxnKqghW8eKr-8g3ZBmg?e=oXCRef) (Login required)
- [What do the Freedom of Information Act and the Shelby Amendment have to do with my research?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EbtqncSGnNdEsVMZ0P3XMHMB4FyjHjCwBVLLeW-fIUs9vQ?e=UkDBA4) (Login required)
- [What happens when a federal agency receives a FOIA request for a Harvard grant?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/Ed_dWYmHOMlApbf55TRyD88BDMGsJYSiPXHKcDBHy-UaQw?e=R8OwlY) (Login required)
- [What happens when a federal agency receives a Shelby Amendment request relating to a Harvard grant? ](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EaJSApRtqCtErH2a1cp5idAB2_IDGp3zAT7DchC-5GNrUg?e=xYtk8o)(Login required)
- [What should I do if I get a FOIA request letter or Shelby Amendment request letter? ](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/Ea3pnbpXPZBFmbHCfhvaqf4Bs4FBzq-VU18TpGdz7lJmEA?e=RcjB4f)(Login required)
- [What kind of information can be withheld under FOIA? ](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EWcWqDyPVbVJgiN6mttPA-QB-b0dwPhFDK8yPG4KmCK1kQ?e=wRbgiS)(Login required)
- [What data does the Shelby Amendment cover? ](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EfvWWjfbkrZNnVoBFqi_5FUBsduJ0ac9D8zn19V9hPFIbA?e=QIw0Uj)(Login required)
- [Is Harvard subject to state-based public records requirements? (](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EQ1omdB_pT5IqWJwoPAi0nsBWsDXiAO8i6xqK2qexVNlbw?e=adjcra)Login required)
- [If I collaborate with a faculty member at a public university does this make my work and/or correspondence subject to state public records law?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/Ec-rherQsWZGid2PqZg3oMQBaS92Lr4IG8SOKHoMyT6RBQ?e=fJMMJY) (Login required)

### Student Records

- [What is FERPA?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EW_98_nFQY9DhqKZMUnlY1IBS7Sows7u-Ayf5X73igQdsA?e=sRg8Co) (Login required)
- [What are education records?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EQxYm4OypEJCtOrcLxdxoGIBYi4rbm3X8T3714rgWP6W8A?e=MFmyS7) (Login required)
- [Who is a student?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EYv9TAXuCx9GvwK93d-0NyoBr4283w0XdTgNsr5rRUbXJA?e=qVi0Ql) (Login required)
- [Are application materials “education records” under FERPA?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EcR9aUBz6vlBmtgK6DhC1HIBSUwTbSgT_1_quiZzW0ZfoQ?e=kWNgse) (Login required)
- [Who is a school official?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EfJLihI4CS9FogmisYol65gBFmHgMBLyzbiGZDfvo7o9sQ?e=tj9IIY) (Login required)
- [What is directory information?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/ESttHYP-EWFNpxnIh3ncjEoBYhHw2YPRNfsn7kVNqjCpVA?e=Kddrz8) (Login required)
- [When may Harvard disclose personally identifiable information from a student’s education records?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EdD7NVaCBF9DqGr6vmsKY_4B8eMM4xjfJ2xlyN77lpw7vQ?e=HaNgCu) (Login required)
- [When may Harvard disclose personally identifiable information about a student without consent? (What are the FERPA exceptions?)](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EZLY2RePFqZIozZqcGRnyYEBZ7hngm6B37B89qQ8968ivA?e=43AbW4) (Login required)
- [May students inspect and review confidential letters and statements of recommendation that are included in their education records?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EXeSMPSAWItCgSbrgg71SHUBNQGN03-QbjnhE6NIxR4S2A?e=ES165v) (Login required)
- [Does it matter for the purposes of FERPA that a student at the College is not yet 18?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EQWpqbp8NKNKkcteC0Qe5DcBBg4QLIj8pE7R95OQDM0Qcw?e=Sqga7u) (Login required)
- [Is it possible to assert FERPA rights on behalf of a deceased student?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/Efj06f8zeKJDmDBFyTGpt34BzJOZrdURiC1_c8UNTEHJ-w?e=FacH1C) (Login required)

### Taxes

- [When is imputed interest due on a loan?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EaLaBybRuKBOuluDJOTHgv0BlLO0t30aMmg4JEria5lEHA?e=taju3d) (Login required)
- [Is Harvard exempt from all federal income taxation?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EX0k2JM-KiJPupcpUUhbELEBt78ibl_0zRxvCK-7iqtkWQ?e=cbCMBR) (Login required)
- [Do Massachusetts sales taxes apply to sales to Harvard?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EaDXvf43aalJttdgR-Alzj0Bc7EKEfOGEOvFarqWr3XpFQ?e=LhMHqh) (Login required)
- [When is Harvard real estate and personal property tax exempt?](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/OGCFAQs/EaLaBybRuKBOuluDJOTHgv0BlLO0t30aMmg4JEria5lEHA?e=taju3d) (Login required)