Common Spaces Tabling: Academic Year 2024-2025

Requests will be processed beginning Monday, September 9, 2024 for recognized student groups

Tabling may be reserved for and by:
Common Spaces offers tabling opportunities at the Science Center Plaza and Smith Campus Center for Harvard University schools, departments, and current officers of recognized student organizations. Tabling is defined as use of a six-foot table set up in an approved and designated location to promote or ‘pub’ (publicize) programmatic activity of the school, department, or group.

Request tabling at the Science Center Plaza

Request tabling at Smith Campus Center

Time, Place, and Manner Restrictions:

• Tabling is available Monday through Friday from 12pm to 3pm by advance reservation.

• There are five tabling locations at the Science Center Plaza and one table location at the Smith Campus Center.

• Maximum approval of up to three times per week per recognized student group, school, or department; 15 days per semester; and 30 days per academic year to allow all requesting groups to utilize the space.

• Requests must be received one week (7 days) in advance, on a first-come, first-served basis. The Common Spaces office will communicate if your tabling request has been granted or denied within three business days. (Note, business days are defined as Monday through Friday.)

• Approved tabling on the Science Center Plaza must use one designated lightweight fast-fold tables per request. Approved groups must setup the table themselves.

• Approved tabling at the Smith Campus Center must use one six-foot table provided in the approved tabling location on the first floor in the Arcade. The table will be setup by Smith Campus Center staff. 

• Sales are limited to recognized student organizations, schools, and department event tickets and donations. No cash handling is allowed.

• Those tabling may not engage in activities that violate the University-Wide Statement on Rights and Responsibilities, Harvard University Campus Use Rules or Harvard University’s Non-Discrimination and Anti-Bullying (NDAB) Policies.

No Tabling Dates:
Tuesday Farmers’ Market days (September 3 – October 29, 2024)
Family Weekend (October 24 – 25, 2024)
Visitas (mid-April 2025)
Arts First (April 30 – May 2, 2025)
Reading Period (Dec 5 - Dec 10) (May 1 – 7, 2025)
Finals Period (Dec 11 - Dec 20) (May 8 – 17, 2025)
Senior Week and Commencement (May 19 – 29, 2025)
Reunions Week (June 2 – 8, 2025)
University Holidays
Other dates as added by office of Common Spaces

Appropriate Tabling Use Includes:
• Use of one table per group and a group member present at all times.
• Use of table in designated location.
• Affixing flyers, banners, or posters to the designated table.
• Removing all materials at end of tabling shift and putting table away in the tabling nook (Science Center Plaza only).
• Giveaways may include pre-packaged, individually wrapped food and Harvard materials such as flyers.
• Sales are limited to recognized student organizations, schools, and department event tickets and donations. No cash handling is allowed.
• Science Center Plaza only: use of a pop-up canopy tent is allowed as part of an approved tabling reservation due to the open, exposed nature of the Plaza. Approved tabling groups may provide their own pop-up canopy tent (no larger than 10ft x 10ft) and must also supply a minimum of 30lbs of weight per tent leg throughout the duration of the tabling time. (Please note, Common Spaces cannot provide tent or tent weights). Please note your intention to use a pop-up canopy tent in your submittal.
• Science Center Plaza only: battery-powered small speaker for light amplified music. Please note that you may be asked at any time to reduce or eliminate your amplified sound by the Common Spaces office.

Inappropriate Tabling Use Includes:
• Plug-in speakers for amplified sound.
• Cash handling for ticket sales.
• Expanding beyond the tabling footprint of assigned six-foot table and six feet surrounding the tabling on all sides.
• Giveaways that are designed to exclusively promote an external third party (for example partnering with Starbucks to giveaway drink samples of their latest product is not acceptable) and not compliant with the Harvard Use of Names and Insignias.
• Use of inflatables games or dunk tanks.
• Setting up a table anywhere other than designated tabling locations.
• Tabling may not be used to directly or indirectly participate in, or intervene in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective office (local, state, or federal).