Bostonist: All in the Name: Hahvahd Tours

July 8, 2006

All in the Name: Hahvahd Tours

Two enterprising Harvard College undergrads, Jordan C. Jones ’07 and Daniel A. Schofield-Bodt ’07, started their own tour of the centuries-old institution. The tours began when the students learned that the official Harvard tour of the university's campus would be on hiatus for most of the month of June. They launch the hour-plus long tour from the Harvard Square information kiosk and guide interested tourists through campus and ask for tips as payment at the end of the tour. The tour is reported to portray a positive message about Harvard University – but may give you a couple of tidbits you might not find on the traditional guided tour (e.g. rubbing John Harvard's toe might be good luck, but upperclassmen pee on it regularly.)

The Harvard Crimson reports that there's been a bit of a scuffle over the tour between the guides and the University administration. Student businesses must pass muster with an established bureaucracy before they're sanctioned by the University, otherwise they're not allowed to be in business. Looking to maintain the non-profit status of the institution concerns were expressed with the "appearance" of the tours presence. Specific mention was made of their website HarvardTour.com – the phrases Harvard and dot com together, when not in relation to the independent Harvard Bookstore, are troubling to the University. Jones and Schofield-Bodt didn't think they'd violated any policy. In fact they'd found a little loophole in the policy which allowed them to operate. They've come to an agreement with the administration that allows them to operate their thrice-daily tours of campus, they'll just make sure to always refer to it as the "Unofficial Hahvahd Tour" from now on. Come fall when classes resume they may be forced to go through the approval process if they are to continue running the tour.

By jon petitt in Around Boston | Link | Comments (9) | Recommend this! (21) |

Tags: Around Boston, college, running, university

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Comments (9)

By Rhea

[1] | 07/08/06 07:21PM

I worked at Harvard for many years and recall the General Counsel's office taking swift action any time someone not affiliated with the University used the "Harvard" name. They are exceedingly strict about that!

By Amy Smith

[2] | 07/10/06 11:30AM

The Hahvahd Tour was incredible. The two guides are uniquely funny and informative. Would heavily recommend.

By John Simons

[3] | 07/13/06 12:04AM

I must say that this tour was my favourite event I experienced in the Boston area. This Brit highly recommends it!

Cheers,

John

By Frankie

[4] | 07/19/06 10:53PM

The Hahvahd tour was sweetness like a buttercup on a sunnny day. It delivered sensational spine-tingling sensations due to its eloquence and extravagance. I will always hold the Hahvahd tour near and dear to my pulsating heart!

By Samuel Johnson

[5] | 07/24/06 01:50PM

These young entrepeneurs are the spirit of America - the tour is lively and awesome. Tons of energy...don't miss

By Gunnar Kaestle

[6] | 08/03/06 04:59AM

A great thing to do this summer. The two commited senior students really make your day during the two hours of the tour.

By Sten35465

[7] | 03/11/07 08:58PM

I just don't have much to say these days, but so it goes. Today was a total loss. I guess it doesn't bother me.

By Sten11405

[8] | 03/15/07 01:56PM

I've just been staying at home not getting anything done. I've basically been doing nothing worth mentioning. My life's been pretty unremarkable these days. Eh.

By Sten70645

[9] | 03/28/07 07:46PM

Not much on my mind lately. My life's been completely boring these days. I've just been hanging out not getting anything done. So it goes.