Education Support Services

Joya Sengupta, Executive Director of Education Support Services

https://ess.fas.harvard.edu

Education Support Services (ESS) provides world-class audiovisual and instructional support, training and consulting services to faculty, staff, students in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS). The team supports the school’s mission by delivering premium technology offerings that advance the teaching & learning environment. 

ESS provides multimedia support to classes and events occurring in FAS buildings. Supported technologies include: computer and video projection within FAS classrooms, sound reinforcement systems, audio and video recording/editing, and web simulcasting and videoconferencing. Services include assisting FAS, Continuing Education, and Summer School classes with classroom media equipment, lecture capture, special event support, and assistive listening systems. 
Please contact ESS at ess@fas.harvard.edu to arrange for services.  

Services are available without charge for work performed in support of Faculty of Arts & Sciences courses and course-related activities that are restricted to members of one course. For other activities, charges are based on the amount of labor and equipment used to perform the task. Photographs of classrooms and information on classroom features can be found at  https://essroombook.fas.harvard.edu/

Education Support Services is comprised of several groups.  

  • The Assistive Technology Center provides alternative materials and assistance to students requiring accessible education.  

  • Event & Media Production supports events including conferences, performances, symposia, and ceremonies. This group includes the Media Production Center’s Hauser and Plympton Studios. 

  • The Teaching & Learning Support group provides multimedia resources for graduate and undergraduate course instruction within the FAS, ranging from AV support in FAS learning spaces to lecture capture services for simultaneous enrollment courses. 

  • Design & Engineering supports technical infrastructure, including repairs to AV systems, consultation and design and installation of new AV technologies in FAS spaces.   

  • The Language Center supports language instruction, providing consultative support, technologically mediated teaching spaces, professional development programs, events centered on language pedagogy, and informal speaking practice opportunities. 

  • Piano Technical Services cares for the 200+ FAS pianos. 

Education Support Services (ESS) Teaching & Learning Support is organized into four operational zones.  This model replaces the previous building-centric support model. 

Oxford West: 
Science Center Room B02 (wheelchair accessible) 
617-495-9460 
https://ess.fas.harvard.edu 

Monday – Thursday 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (during the academic year) 
Provides classroom technology support for FAS locations

Oxford East: 
Northwest Labs Room B111 
617-495-5775 

Monday–Thursday 8:00 AM-10:00 PM, Friday 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (during the academic year) 
Supports classes and events in the Northwest Building and adjacent buildings

Sever Hall Office: 
Sever Hall Room 301 
617-495-9470 

Monday–Thursday 8:00 AM-10:00 PM, Friday 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (during the academic year) 
Supports classes and events in Sever Hall and adjacent buildings. 

CGIS Office: 
CGIS South Building Room S053 
617-495-9807 

Monday – Thursday 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (during the academic year) 
Supports classes and events in CGIS and adjacent buildings. 

Assistive Technology Center 1414 Massachusetts Avenue, Room 227 (wheelchair accessible) 
617-496-8800
 

Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM 
Email: atc@fas.harvard.edu  
https://atc.fas.harvard.edu 

The Assistive Technology Center (ATC) serves students with disabilities requiring technical solutions to access course materials. The ATC also demonstrates assistive technologies for members of the Harvard community. Students must be registered with the Disability Access Office (DAO) or their graduate school's local disability coordinator before receiving services. (See Students Requiring Accessible Education.) For more information, please see the DAO website. 
 
Media Production Center 
Rosovsky Hall (rear), 59 Plympton St. 

617-495-9440 

Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM 
Email: ims_mpc@fas.harvard.edu 
https://mpc.fas.harvard.edu/  

The Media Production Center (MPC) produces custom audio and video materials for teaching, outreach, and research. Our studio is equipped to record interviews, voiceovers, musical performances (Steinway grand piano on-site), on-line learning modules, and promotional videos. We also provide video post-production services such as editing, titling, and color correction; location audio/musical event recording and reinforcement; audio editing, mixing, and mastering; format transfers, digitizing, and web file creation. We are happy to provide assistance and guidance to solve your audio and video media problems. 

Services are available without charge for work performed in support of Faculty of Arts & Sciences courses and course-related activities that are restricted to members of one course. For non-course activities, charges are based on the amount of labor and equipment used to perform the task. 
 
Rita E. and Gustave M. Hauser Digital Teaching & Learning Studio 
Widener Library, Room G90 (Concourse Level; wheelchair accessible) 
617-495-3979
 

Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM  
Email: hauserdigitalstudio@harvard.edu 
https://hauserdigitalstudio.harvard.edu/ 

The Hauser Studio, centrally located in Widener Library, is a state-of-the-art video capture studio that provides services for courses and related activities throughout the University. The studio is equipped to provide broadcast, HarvardX, and cinema style multi-camera production. It serves as a high-tech production facility and as a training ground for faculty throughout the University who want to experiment with new approaches to further integrate digital technology into their teaching. 

Language Center 
Science Center B-06 (wheelchair accessible; assistive listening available) 
617-495-9448  

Monday – Thursday 9:00am – 9:00pm, Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm 
Email:language@fas.harvard.edu 
https://language.fas.harvard.edu

The Language Center offers consulting support, technology, and learning spaces to students and faculty in FAS world language courses and to other FAS courses using materials in languages other than English or focusing on international cultures.  The Language Center is comprised of three technology-equipped active learning classrooms for small groups, and a multipurpose area for informal language learning and events. 

There are two screening rooms for small-group foreign-language instruction and one technology-equipped classroom for course section meetings. 

Piano Technical Services  
Vanserg Hall, Piano Shop (wheelchair accessible) 
617-495-2981 

Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM 
Email: lincoln@fas.harvard.edu
https://pts.fas.harvard.edu 

Piano Technical Services (PTS) services and maintains the collection of approximately 200 pianos in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences for teaching, learning, practice, performances, events, etc. Our primary responsibility is to the Music Department where approximately one-quarter of the keyboard collection resides. We also service Sanders Theatre and the OFA, Houses and residence halls, and other departments at the University where keyboard instruments are located. Core activities include tuning, regulating, repairs, restorations, event support, moving, renting, evaluations, advising and consulting. PTS does not purchase instruments, or reserve or schedule practice rooms or concert venues.