Eligibility
Who is eligible to work Spring Clean-Up?
All full-time, degree-seeking Harvard students are eligible for SCU. Please note, however, that we can only provide housing to undergraduates; all other students must provide their own housing.
I can’t work the week before Commencement, but I’d like to work Commencement Week/Post-Comm. Can I do it?
Absolutely. However, we can only provide housing when you are actually working for us. We suggest you apply for a non-competitive position with the Alumni Association if you want a job during Commencement Week, and then get housing for that and the previous week.
I can make most of the required work days, but not all of them. Is this okay?
No. For SCU, we can only hire you for Pre-Commencement if you can commit to the full five days of work, May 15 through May 19. For Reunion Week jobs, you must be able to commit to the full term required by your job. For Post-Commencement, you must start the first day (Tuesday, May 29) and continue working every day until you leave (except weekends).
But what if I have a really good excuse for my absence?
All excused absences must be cleared directly with the Head Captains. Please plan ahead: Notify them well in advance, in April. Almost no last-minute exemptions will be granted once Spring Clean-Up has started. The Head Captains can be contacted through dormcrew1@harvard.edu.
I’m a senior. Am I still eligible to work after graduation?
Yes. All undergraduates, including graduating seniors are eligible to work Post-Commencement Clean-Up.
I’m an international student and I’ve been told I can only work 20 hours per week. Will this interfere with working Dorm Crew?
No. Students on an F-1 Visa are restricted to 20 hours of work per week during the school year, but 40 hours/week after the term ends. This restriction will not affect your ability to work Dorm Crew. Please check with the International Office if you have any questions.
I don’t have a social security card/number. Can I still work for Dorm Crew?
Yes, but you will have to get one. Come to our office and we can explain how to get a social security card.
Captains, Crews, and the Workday
I really want to get a good Reunion Job. What’s the best way to make sure I get one?
Work hard! The competition for the high-paying Reunion Jobs is fierce. Only the best workers are selected to receive them.
What if I find something I want to keep while cleaning during Dorm Crew?
No items of great value will be disposed of without the building superintendent’s approval. All items to be disposed of will be disposed by lottery.
Can I request a particular captain if I have worked for her/him before?
No. We will not accommodate such requests.
Can I request to be on the same crew as my friend?
No again. We will not accommodate such requests.
What will I be doing during Clean-Up?
Your jobs will include, but not be limited to, removing trash from suites, sweeping, mopping, dusting, and cleaning bathrooms.
What if I have a physical condition that precludes me from doing some of this work?
Depending on the severity of your condition, the solution might be as simple as wearing a dust mask or as unfortunate as you not being able to work SCU (though this is rarely the case). Email us to inquire about your options.
Will I get to see my friends graduate if I am working a reunion job?
Only if you are working as a night sitter or night counselor.
Room and Board
Am I provided with meals during Spring Clean-Up? Reunion Week? Post-Comm?
There will be no meal plan through Dorm Crew during Spring Clean-Up, Reunion Week, and Post Comm. Seniors will remain on their meal plan until Commencement.
Where will I live?
You will be provided with a room in one of Harvard’s dorms or houses which has been provided to us for your housing.
Can I choose my roommates?
Sort of. We cannot honor requests to be housed in a certain dorm or house. However, if you would like to be housed with another employee already placed in the same house as you, simply pick up your keys together, with all individuals present, on the morning of move-out and move-in. We cannot promise that all requests will be granted.
What do I do with my stuff?
All personal items must be placed on your bed each day so other workers can clean around them. Bring only the essentials, including towels and bedding, as these are not provided.
Do I have to pay for housing?
No. Housing is free, but you can stay only so long as you are working.
If I have my own housing, can I get a higher pay rate?
No.
If I am unhappy with the condition of my Clean Up housing upon moving in, what should I do?
Unfortunately, you move in as term-time students move out. We do have some cleaning supplies that we can lend you if you’d like to clean it.
What if I decide to stop working while still living in free housing?
Do not do this. If you do, you will be term-billed $150 for each night that you stay in Harvard housing after you’ve stopped working.
What if I don’t get a competitive job for Reunion Week, will I still have housing for that week?
In this case, you may keep your housing as long as you show up to work during Reunion Week at the Dorm Crew Office: some odd jobs may be available to you.
If I now live in the Quad, do I have to move to the River?
Probably. We will house each worker in one of the undergraduate houses made available to us, and these are most often on the river. We make no promises about where or with whom you will be housed. However, be assured that we do take these kinds of issues into consideration whenever possible as we assign housing.
If I have a special housing situation/need not covered on the online application, what should I do?
Email us with any questions. Special situations will be reviewed individually.
Payroll
When will I get paid?
For Spring Clean-Up only, the Harvard Payroll Office will send your paycheck to your campus mailing address on Friday for the work you did the previous work week. Because we have had cases in the past where people left before they received their check in the mail, we highly recommend that you set up direct deposit. Instructions for doing so are available on our payroll page.
What if there is a mistake with my paycheck?
Let the Dorm Crew Office know, and we will correct the error (so long as your time slip provides verification).
The Online Application
If I’m confused about what to fill out for part of the application, what should I do?
Call the Dorm Crew office during business hours at 617-495-5569. One of our captains will gladly walk you through it. You can also email us, but we recommend calling—it’s quicker and it makes it easier for us to help you.
What if the information on my application changes?
Do not fill out a second application. Call or email the Dorm Crew office with the changes (617-495-5569 or dormcrew1@harvard.edu).