Alumni

Frequently Asked Questions

• General Information
• E-mail forwarding, LEFA, and password
• Baker Library
• eBaker
• Bulletin
• Giving to HBS
• Campus Visits
• How can I use HBS facilities?
• Clubs
• Additional Resources

General Information

• What constitutes Harvard Business School alumni status?

  A Harvard Business School alumnus/a is defined as any person receiving a degree from Harvard Business School in a qualifying program.

  Current HBS programs that grant alumni status include:

  • Advanced Management Program (AMP)
  • Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
  • General Management Program (GMP)
  • Joint Program with Harvard Kennedy School (MPP/MBA and MBA-MPA/ID)
  • Joint Program with Harvard Law School /Master of Business Administration (JD/MBA)
  • Joint Program with Harvard Medical School /Master of Business Administration (MD/MBA)
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA)
  • Owner/President Management Program (OPM)
  • PhD in Business Economics (PhDBE or PhDBusEc)
  • PhD in Information, Technology, and Management (PhDITM)
  • PhD in Organizational Behavior (PhDOB)
  • PhD in Science, Technology, and Management (PhDSTM)
  • President's Program in Leadership (PPL)
  • Program for Leadership Development (plus completion of 10 open-enrollment program days) (PLDA)

  Retired HBS programs which granted alumni status (all attendees are members of the current HBS alumni community)

  • Individuals prior to 2008 having completed one year of an HBS MBA program
  • International Senior Management Program (ISMP)
  • Central and Eastern European Teachers' Program (ETP)
  • Doctor of Commercial Science (DCS)
  • The General Manager Program™ (TGMP)
  • Harvard-Radcliffe Program in Business Administration (HRPBA)
  • Industrial Administrator (IA)
  • International Senior Management Program (ISMP)
  • International Teachers' Program (ITP)
  • Middle-Management Program (MMP)
  • Mid-Officer Certificate (MOC)
  • PhD in Decision Sciences (PhDDS)
  • Program for Global Leadership™ (PGL)
  • Program for Management Development (PMD)
  • Programs for Health System Management (PHSM)
  • Senior Executive Program for the Middle East (SEPME)
  • Senior Executive Programme for Africa (SEPSA)
  • Veterans' Certificate (VC)
  • Visitor for Individual Studies (VIS)
• How do I get proof of graduation or a copy of my transcript?

  Transcripts, replacement diplomas, and certificates of attendance may be obtained through MBA Registrar Services. For information, go to: http://www.hbs.edu/mba/registrar/alumni/Pages/alumni-transcripts.aspx.

• How can I update my address listing or personal information?

  You may update your address and any other information in your alumni profile at https://poplar.hbs.edu/alumniProfile/.

• Where can I find contact information for sectionmates or classmates, or get a list of fellow alumni?

  Go to the HBS Alumni Directory at http://apps.alumni.hbs.edu/navigator/index.jsp to search for classmates by name, section, degree/year, company, region, and many other categories of information.

  Alumni may also send an e-mail to section and classmates by using the E-mail My Class tool: http://apps.alumni.hbs.edu/emailer/alumni/criteria.do. Please note the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

• Do HBS alumni receive special discounts on the Harvard Business Review?

  FREE Online Access: Alumni receive online access to the current issue and over 2,800 articles from back issues.

  On the bottom of most alumni web pages, under the Resources category you will find a link to Harvard Business Review. If you are logged in with your LEFA and password, the Harvard Business Review link will open a pop-up window with instructions on how to register.

  Subscription Discounts: HBS Alumni may also receive a discount on print subscriptions to the Harvard Business Review. The 1-year discounted rates are as follows: US, $59.00; Canada/Mexico, $79.00; International, $99.00. To initiate the offer, e-mail hbralumni@hbsp.harvard.edu. You will then receive an e-mail in return with further instructions on completing your alumni subscription request. Renewals must also be made by first contacting hbralumni@hbsp.harvard.edu.

• Is there an official group for HBS alumni on LinkedIn

  Yes, there is. If you're a member of LinkedIn and would like to join the official Harvard Business School alumni group click here. (LEFA required, will open in new window)

• What is the HBS Nonprofit/Public Sector Loan Repayment Assistance Program?

  The HBS Nonprofit/Public Sector Loan Repayment Assistance Program can help reduce the need-based educational debt repayment burden for alumni taking managerial positions in the US or abroad where salaries may be below the MBA average. Qualified graduates from the MBA Class of 1999 onward are eligible to apply. Learn more.

• What discounts are available to HBS alumni?

  IBM/Lenovo Discount for Harvard Alumni
  As a Harvard alumnus/a, you can save significantly on select ThinkPad notebook computers. Go to: http://post.harvard.edu/ibm

  Samsonite Luggage Discounts
  Samsonite luggage is available at significant discounts to HBS alumni through the HBS Student Association.

• How can I download the same "Spinning Shield" PC screensaver I had when I was on campus?

  Click here to download the HBS Screen Saver (1.5 MB .zip) Note: The "Spinning Shield" is available for Windows only.

  Legal Notice: "Spinning Shield" Screen Saver, © 2002 President and Fellows of Harvard College. The HBS shield is a registered trademark of Harvard University. The HBS "Spinning Shield" is to be used solely as a screen saver by members of the HBS community (alumni, faculty, students and staff). Any other use, either personal or commercial, is prohibited. These files may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted without prior permission of Harvard Business School.

  Instructions:
  1. Click on the link above and choose "Save file to disk." (pc-saver.zip). Make a note of the directory to which it is saved.
  2. Find the downloaded file and double-click on it to extract pc-saver.exe. Then double-click on that file to extract the screen saver files. You should see a black DOS window open and "inflate" three files (this should take no more than 30 seconds). The three files will then appear in the same directory as the file you initially downloaded. When the top bar of the DOS window reads "Finished", you may close the window and move on to the next step.
  3. Double-click on Setup.exe to begin installation, and click Next followed by Finish to install the files.
  4. When you see a message telling you installation is complete, click OK. You will now see your screen saver properties window open up. To complete installation, please click OK to close this window.

• How can I recruit MBA students and HBS alumni to my organization?

  The MBA Recruiting Web site offers step by step instructions for organizations looking to recruit HBS students. Go to: http://www.hbs.edu/mba/recruiting/.

  The HBS Recruiter Dashboard provides recruiters with a single point of entry and the necessary tools to hire HBS alumni talent at all levels of experience. Go to: http://www.alumni.hbs.edu/careers/recruiting.html.

E-mail forwarding, LEFA, and password

• What is a LEFA and how can I update it?

  Your Lifelong E-mail Forwarding Address (LEFA) gives you access to protected areas of the HBS alumni Web site. For information on your LEFA's benefits or to update it, go to: http://www.alumni.hbs.edu/lefa/.

• How do I set up e-mail (LEFA) forwarding?

  If you know your LEFA and password, then you may designate an e-mail forwarding address here. If you do not know your password, reset your password by using this Reset Your Password Web page.

  Please understand that your LEFA is a forwarding address for e-mail, not an actual e-mail address. An e-mail sent to your LEFA is forwarded by the LEFA servers to a personal e-mail address that you designate. The LEFA is not a traditional e-mail account that you might check via the Web or via a POP server.

• I've forgotten my password. How can I reset it?

  Reset your password by using this Reset Your Password Web page.

• I received a suspicious e-mail from HBS. (Would HBS ever ask for my password?)

  From time to time you may receive e-mails addressed to your LEFA that appear to be official messages from HBS IT, but are in fact fraudulent e-mails devised to extract sensitive, private information. Recent messages have been addressed to "Hbs.edu User," a term HBS does not employ. In addition they ask you to send via e-mail your username and password. NOTE: HBS will never ask you to e-mail your password or other sensitive information.

  This type of fradulent messages is often referred to as a "phishing" e-mail. Below are some steps to take to avoid falling victim of a phishing scheme.

  • Be extra careful when you receive an email requesting sensitive data. HBS, banks, or any legitimate service will never ask for sensitive information through email. As a precaution, contact the company from which the email apparently originates (using a phone number from a statement or their official Web site, not any phone number provided in the email) to check that the email is legitimate.
  • To repeat - HBS will never ask you for sensitive information via email.
  • Update your browser to one that identifies phishing sites. Microsoft's Internet Explorer 7 (and 8) as well as versions of Mozilla Firefox newer than 2.0 maintain a list of known phishing sites and will check Web sites against the list. Firefox 2 and later uses Google anti-phishing software and Internet Explorer will ask you to turn on the anti-phishing utility after you install it.
  • Hover over (but don't click!) any links embedded in the email. Frequently, a URL will look legitimate at first glance, but you will see when hovering over the link it actually goes to a fraudulent site.
  • For additional information, and to test your phishing knowledge, visit OnGuardOnline.gov or the Microsoft Web site
  • If you have fallen victim, please contact the Alumni Records Office: 617.384.5977; alumni_records@hbs.edu.

• Why did I receive a spam message from my own LEFA address?

  The appearance of spam messages from your own e-mail address can be disconcerting, but it is not the result of a security breach in the HBS computer systems. The most likely cause is a virus attack on a personal computer of someone who has your LEFA address in their contact list or elsewhere on their computer. These spam viruses then "spoof" the e-mail return address by using an e-mail address found on the machine. Best practice is simply to delete the message.

  HBS IT is committed to spam protection and is continually reviewing and updating its techniques to slowing the flow of spam. To help HBS monitor the amount of spam messages reaching alumni, you may report spam here: alumni_spam@hbs.edu.

Baker Library

• Can alumni use Baker Library?

  Alumni may use Baker Library on site, free of charge with a Baker Access Card.

• How can I get a Baker Access Card?

  Alumni may obtain an access card at the Stamps Reading Room Service Desk, located on the third floor of Baker Library. Please bring photo ID. For more information, go to: http://www.library.hbs.edu/info/whocanusebaker.html.

• What is eBaker and how can I access it?

  eBaker is an online collection of free information research resources for alumni. eBaker also offers a deeply discounted annual subscription to OneSource. For details, go to eBaker.

• How do I make an appointment to visit Baker's Historical Collections?

  Fill out the online Historical Collections Reference Request Form at http://www.library.hbs.edu/forms/hcref/, or contact the Historical Collections Reference Staff at 617.495.6411.

eBaker

• What is my LEFA and password?

  Your Lifelong E-mail Forwarding Address (LEFA) gives you access to protected areas of the HBS alumni Web site. For information on your LEFA's benefits or to update it, go to: http://www.alumni.hbs.edu/lefa/.

• How do I subscribe or renew my subscription to OneSource?

  Go to the OneSource for HBS Alumni page.

• Why can't I get into ABI/ProQuest?

  First try re-setting your cookies with this step-by-step cookie cutter:

  1. Go to ProQuest Cookie Cutter.
  2. Click on "Click here to reset your browser".
  3. Do not click on any of the choices that come up after that, but go back to eBaker Home.
  4. Click on the ABI/ProQuest "Go to Database" link from the A-Z list.

  If that doesn't work, try checking whether referrer URL works:

  1. Do the ProQuest Browser Health Check.
  2. If you get a referrer URL warning, then click on the Firewall Section link to access ProQuest's information on how to enable the referring URL.

  Also, ProQuest has a page describing recommended security options for various versions of Norton. Select "ProQuest/Digital Dissertations/Sanborn Maps" for the version of Norton you have, and follow the directions.

• I can't access one of the resources - what should I do?

  Please contact us and let us know which resource you are trying to use and what message you are getting when attempting access.

Bulletin

• How do I advertise in the HBS Bulletin?

  Many alumni choose to advertise their businesses in the Bulletin. The magazine accepts both full and fractional page advertisements. For rates and information, please contact Jane Mazzarella at 617.496.6558 or jmazzarella@hbs.edu.

• How do I submit Class Notes?

  Alumni may submit Class Notes electronically to their secretaries via HBS. Go to: http://www.alumni.hbs.edu/class_notes/submit.html.

• How do I find out who is my class secretary?

  Your secretary is listed at the top of your class's Notes section in each issue of the HBS Bulletin. You may also contact Class Notes directly at class_notes@hbs.edu.

• How do I submit an obituary?

  Alumni are encouraged to submit obituary information to Class Notes at http://www.alumni.hbs.edu/class_notes/submit.html.

• How do I submit an idea for an article?

  Story ideas, as well as comments and feedback may be submitted to the Bulletin via www.alumni.hbs.edu/bulletin/contact.html.

Campus Visits

• Can I get a tour of campus?

  HBS offers personal and self-paced audio tours of the Soldiers Field campus. For schedules and information, go to: http://www.hbs.edu/mba/admissions/visit.html#tour .

• Can alumni hold events on campus?

  HBS facilities are for exclusive use by current students, faculty and staff. However, HBS Alumni Relations may host a variety of meetings for HBS clubs on a space available basis. Club members should contact Alumni Relations staff, who book space, coordinate catering, and are on site for the event. This courtesy is extended only to recognized HBS Clubs.

  The Class of 1959 Chapel may be used by alumni for weddings and memorials, again through the sponsorship and coordination of HBS Alumni Relations. For more information, e-mail the Alumni Relations Office at alumni@hbs.edu.

How can I use HBS facilities?

• Baker Library

  Alumni can obtain on site access to Baker Library with a Baker Access Card. For more information and a list of services and resources, go to: http://www.library.hbs.edu/resources_alumni.html.

• Shad Hall

  HBS alumni are eligible for membership at the Shad Hall fitness center. For fee information, call the fitness desk at 617.495.6060. To download a membership form, go to: http://www.alumni.hbs.edu/pdf/protected/20112012FACform.pdf.

• What are the hours of the COOP?

  Hours and store info for the HBS COOP are at: http://store.thecoop.com/coopstore/estore_store_locations.jsp

Clubs

• Is there an HBS club near me?

  The interactive map on the HBS Clubs Web site is an easy way to locate the club nearest to you. Go to: http://www.clubhub.hbs.org/map.html.

• Can I join the Harvard Club?

  Harvard Club membership is open to all alumni of the University. Each club offers its own a variety of programs, services, and opportunities to its members and to its communities. For more information and to find a club near you, go to: http://post.harvard.edu/harvard/clubs/html/clubs.html.

Additional Resources

• Alumni Travel

  For information on alumni travel programs-including schedules and trip itineraries, go to: http://www.alumni.hbs.edu/travel/.

• Baker Library

  For information on alumni services, go to: http://www.library.hbs.edu/resources_alumni.html.

• Career Development

  To find out about resources and career services available to alumni, go to: http://www.alumni.hbs.edu/careers/.

• Clubs

  For more information about HBS Clubs and events, go to: http://www.clubhub.hbs.org/.

• Events

  For schedules and information on upcoming HBS alumni events, go to: http://www.alumni.hbs.edu/events/.

• Reunions

  For reunion dates, classes, and all other information, please go to http://www.alumni.hbs.edu/reunions/.