For HBS students, moving to Boston can be both exciting and a little scary. And, many of them didn’t make the move the alone.
While official numbers state that 20% of students come to HBS with a significant other, or “partner,” in reality, the number seems much higher. Partners play an important role at HBS, both in the school and in the lives of the students. With that in mind, three entities at HBS have made serving partners a top priority: the Partners’ Club, which helps non-students adjust to a new lifestyle, the Partner Task force, which is a group of partners who focus on providing feedback to the school, and the Administration. And that commitment is only getting stronger.
Here are just a few of the ways that these groups are working to serve partners.
The addition of partner ID cards last year allowed partners to access campus buildings after hours and also made it easier for partners to become Shad members. Now that Baker Library is open, partners will be able to utilize Baker services, including checking out books with his or her HBS ID. Through HBS’s pre-matriculation website a student is now able to register his or her partner with the school much earlier than in the past. This change allowed the Administration to send e-mails during the summer and also enabled the Partners’ Club to connect current partners with incoming partners so that they can answer questions and offer advice. At Admitted Students weekend, partners had special events to help them understand life at HBS. There were panel discussions about family life, moving and job hunting. The Career Services department recognized the challenge of looking for a new job in an unfamiliar city and organized a career panel to help partners begin a job search. A career workshop was offered on September 8 for RC partners, which was a great success! Partners can now receive a career development packet, career coaching and a career services contact for advice on resumes and cover letters.
Registered partners will also be provided with a Harvard e-mail account for accessing portions of the myHBS website as well as the partner intranet site. Much like students, partners will soon have access to classifields, classcards and the event calendar.
This year’s orientation also has proved to be partner-friendly. There was a partner welcome reception on September 1 with Tom DeLong, Chair of the MBA Required Curriculum, where partners were able to meet other partners. On Labor Day, September 5th, Bain and Company sponsored a New England clambake at Winter Island in Salem.
These new services will hopefully ease the transition to HBS and also provide some assurance to partners that they are part of the HBS community. Partners can take advantage of the below opportunities to learn more about the school and meet other partners.
Partner Events:
Case Night, Aldrich 107 – September 14 at 7:00 p.m.,
(event reception begins at 6:00 p.m.)
Experience the case method first hand with Tom DeLong and work together to crack a case.
Club Fair – September 20 and 21 from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Stop by to learn about each student club and join!
Loving and Learning at HBS, Aldrich 107 September 20, Living at 7:00 p.m., (event reception begins at 6:00 p.m.)
Pat Light, Director of MBA Support Services, will give an overview of some aspects of life as an HBS partner, the things you can expect and the services HBS offers both students and partners. There will also be a panel of 2nd year partners to share personal experiences and well as answer any questions.
Partners’ Club Events:
Partners’ Club meeting, Spangler Grille’s Birthday Room
September 12 at 7:30 p.m.,
All partners welcome to learn more about the club’s activities! Join the club and enjoy these great events:
Ladies Night, leave the kids at home!
September 21 at 7:30
Inaugural Book Club
September 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Partners’ Club Whale Watching
September 25 at 2:30 p.m.
Preschool Begins, SFP common room
September 26 at 10:00 a.m.
Partners’ Club Boston Duck Tour
October 1 at 11:00 a.m.
New/Expecting Mom’s Dessert and Tea
October 9
Partners’ Club Apple Picking Outing
October 15
Children’s Halloween Party
October 29 from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
