The Function of the Office of Student Life
The Office of Student Life at Harvard College cultivates an inclusive residential and campus experience that facilitates social engagement, campus involvement, intellectual curiosity, and personal exploration. It is responsible for enhancing the life and recreational activity of students at the College. The Office of Student Life governs the Harvard College Women’s Center, Office of BGLTQ Student Life, the Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, and the Office of Student Involvement, and the Student Organization Center at Hilles.
A History of the Student Organization Center at Hilles (SOCH)
In 1965, Radcliffe College constructed the Hilles Library, designed by Harrison & Abromowitz. The Bauhaus aesthetic of the building, constructed of concrete and glass, makes it a stark, bold sentinel guarding the entry to what is now Harvard University’s northernmost residential campus. When the Harvard College Library consolidated its holdings and decreased duplicate reserves, the upper three floors of Hilles became available for alternate programming. In 2003, the College and Student Activities Office began to conceive its use for extracurricular student activity, and through extensive committee work involving students, faculty, and staff prioritized the need for student activities and organization space. Thus, planning for today’s Student Organization Center at Hilles (SOCH) was launched in 2005, with Kennedy & Violitch Architecture, Ltd. selected for the project.
The SOCH officially opened in the fall of 2006 and has steadily become an important center that supports student-initiated programming. The first floor of the building was renovated in 2012 with EYP Architecture.
Today’s SOCH offers 50,000 square feet of renovated space, including 65 student organization offices, collaborative zones, conference rooms, large meeting spaces, performance space, lounge, and recording studio.
About the Office of Student Involvement (OSI)
Within the broader umbrella of the Office of Student Life, the Office of Student Involvement at Harvard College enables opportunities for intellectual, social, and personal transformation by supporting student learning and development through out-of-classroom experiences. The Office of Student Involvement values peer-to-peer leadership, specifically within the student organization context. To this end, the Office of Student Involvement works to support over 400 independent student organizations as they contribute to the vibrant College community.
The Office of Student Involvement seeks to partner with student organization leaders by providing advising, training, and mentoring to students and student organization advisers, challenging students to become active members of the Harvard College community, creating opportunities for student programming and maintaining lively social spaces that are safe, welcoming, and inclusive for all members of the College community, and facilitating meaningful opportunities for students’ personal development and reflection.
