As HBS students, we often take the campus that surrounds us for granted. When you leave campus and compare us with Sloan, however, it’s easy to see that we are completely and utterly spoiled. And whereas most business schools occupy just a slither of a larger campus, we have our own self-contained compound completely separate from other, more trivial disciplines.
But as the saying goes, “all good things come to an end.” So for half of us, our time is numbered and we will soon leave the manicured lawns of Harvard Business School and enter the filthy streets of the “real world.”
In tribute to our time at HBS, I would like to present ten of my favorite places at HBS. These ten places are not necessarily my most frequented spots, but rather represent sites that I have found unique and interesting. For the RCs out there, I would definitely recommend making your way towards these places because before you know it, you, too, will find yourself leaving the sheltered confines of Harvard Business School.
In no particular order, I present to you “Ten Places I’ll Miss at HBS.”
The One Western Avenue Courtyard.
Okay, so technically this belongs to HRES, but let’s not be too nit-picky. The OWA Courtyard is probably one of the most under-utilized spots on campus, largely due to its design (in my humble opinion). Regardless, the grass is super soft and the benches seldom inhabited. A great place to sprawl out on a blanket and read a magazine on a nice day.
Spangler Project Room 214 and 284.
These meeting rooms occupy the space right above the East & West entryways and allow great views of the suspicious activities of HBSers on Spangler lawn. The downside is a lack of an LCD screen, but to offset this shortcoming, Student and Academic Services has placed a basket full of free chocolates exactly in-between project rooms 214 and 284.
Courtyard behind Connell House.
This was completely redone during the Gallatin renovation, yet it seems as though nobody knows it exists. Anyhow, there are some great seating areas and even a few rocking chairs, just in case you want to practice your future grand-parenting skills.
Kresge Faculty Club (accessed through the North Entrance).
Unfortunately, I am not the only one to miss this gathering spot, as Restaurant Associates and HBS Operations have shut it down until future notice. Like most other things as of late, you can blame this one on the economy. Once in the distant past, however, students and faculty gathered here with the Prudential and Hancock towers glistening in the background.
McArthur Lounge.
To confess, I’ve only been inside twice and both times, I was a guest of an Executive Education participant. But to the uninitiated, McArthur is a site to behold: hotel controlled access, fantastic “reading” areas with 50-inch plasmas, and all-you-can-eat snacks that include mixed nuts, chocolate-covered raisins, etc. I would definitely recommend a visit to those so fortunate to have the opportunity.
The area outside the George Pierce Baker Hall (in the far recess of campus).
This spot offers some awesome seating areas tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Storrow Drive (which is just beyond the red brick wall). There is also an interesting modern art sculpture entitled “Search” that juts up about 12 feet into the air. And if you visit this spot around October, the trees here produce the most visually stunning blend of fall foliage you can imagine.
Gallatin and Hamilton lounges.
Okay, I confess: I live in neither dorm, yet have read many a case here. The problem is that both dorms have “controlled access” which means you have to be creative to enter. Both lounges offer great couches and tables that are quite conducive to group meetings (you can book these through the online campus system). And due to the layout of Gallatin and Hamilton, these lounges are rarely used throughout the day.
The Stamps Reading Room.
It strikes me as odd that some students have literally never made it up to the Stamps Reading Room, but that’s another story altogether. Anyhow, my favorite part about this room is the rolling staircase (which I have only seen used once) and the windows overlooking Baker Lawn. Additionally, there is a neat looking bell against the wall which I’ve been dying to ring.
Class of 1959 Chapel and “Time Piece.”
Yes, this is the odd-looking grain silo that sits on campus. But for those that dare to enter, the chapel offers a really peaceful place to meditate, pray, or just be. There is also a neat atrium connected to the chapel that is currently “under renovation.” I trust that post-renovation, the koi that lived here will return.
Tethys Mosaic.
If you don’t know what this is, enter Morgan Hall and follow the sound. Undoubtedly the oldest artifact on campus, this mosaic of the Roman Empire (modern-day Turkey) has somehow found its way to HBS. By my calculation, it has at least 1,500 years on the oldest structure at HBS. Definitely a site to check out, especially on a bright sunny day as the atrium creates neat reflections on the tiles comprising the mosaic.
