Frequently Asked Questions

The Program on Negotiation (PON) offers a number of programs and courses taught by leading Harvard faculty and experts in the fields of negotiation, mediation, and conflict management. The programs range from one-day seminars to semester-length courses and are attended by participants from around the world.

What to Expect When Attending In-Person PON Courses

LAST UPDATED: AUGUST 29, 2022

As the Program on Negotiation (PON) welcomes participants to our in-person programming, we want to assure you that the health, safety, and well-being of our community remains our top priority. Harvard University is closely monitoring health and safety protocols as outlined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and we will continue to adjust as the public health situation evolves.

Please bookmark this page, which provides the latest details you need in preparing to come to Cambridge. It is important to note that all PON Executive Education participants are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to arriving at all in-person PON program.

Please watch your inbox for important emails from the PON Program Administrative Team for updates.

For additional information about specific programs, please refer to the individual program webpages.

COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions:

PREPARING TO COME TO CAMBRIDGE

Will I need to be fully vaccinated before coming to Cambridge?
All PON Executive Education participants are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, meaning that at least two weeks have passed since receiving the final dose of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or World Health Organization (WHO) approved vaccine, and a booster dose, if eligible.* Approved vaccines currently include (mixing of brands is acceptable):

Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty
Moderna/Spikevax
Johnson & Johnson/Janssen,
AstraZeneca/Vaxzevria,
SII/Covishield
BIBP/Sinopharm
Sinovac/CoronaVac
Bharat Biotech/Covaxin
SII/Covovax
Novavax/Nuvaxovi
CanSino/Convidecia

*In this case, Harvard University is using the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s definition of eligibility, which is: You are eligible for a booster dose if at least five (5) months have passed since you completed the primary series of a two-dose vaccine or at least two (2) months have passed since you completed the primary series of a single-dose vaccine. For more information, see this CDC webpage.

Exceptions to this requirement will be accorded only for medical or religious reasons and must be requested no later than 10 business days prior to the start of the program. Please note that if an exemption is granted, participants may be subject to additional requirements.

Do I need a COVID booster shot before coming to campus?
In addition to the requirement of being fully vaccinated with one of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized by the FDA or WHO, participants are required to have a booster shot from one of the FDA- and/or WHO-authorized vaccines if they are eligible by the start date of their in-person program.

Based on the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s definition of eligibility, you are eligible for a booster dose if at least five months have passed since you completed the primary series of a two-dose FDA- or WHO-authorized vaccine or at least two months have passed since you completed the primary series of a single-dose FDA- or WHO-authorized vaccine. For more information, see this CDC webpage.

At this time, Harvard strongly encourages a second booster for those who are eligible, but this is not required to participate in a PON in-person program.

What proof of vaccination is required?
Executive Education participants will be required to attest to their COVID-19 vaccination status as part of their initial enrollment, confirming that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and boosted, if they are eligible, by the start date of their in-person program. Participants will be asked upon program check-in to attest to the statements outlined in the COVID-19 Risk and Release Form, indicating that you remain in compliance with Harvard’s COVID policy. Participants should be prepared to present proof of vaccination at registration if requested by PON staff.

I received a COVID-19 vaccine in another country that was not approved by the FDA or WHO. Should I be re-vaccinated when I get to the U.S.?
To participate in an in-person PON Executive Education program, the vaccine must be approved by the FDA or WHO. Please note that we cannot make a medical recommendation as to whether you should get a second, different vaccine to satisfy our vaccine requirement. This would need to be determined by a medical professional.

Are other Harvard community members required to be vaccinated?
To reach the high levels of vaccination needed to protect our community, Harvard University is requiring community members who will have any on-campus presence be vaccinated, with very few exceptions. Our staff will likewise be subject to all Harvard University testing and health requirements.

TRAVEL

Will I need to quarantine if I am traveling from outside the U.S. to Cambridge, Massachusetts?
No quarantine is required for entering Massachusetts from outside of the U.S. for fully vaccinated individuals. Please review the requirements for travelers arriving to the U.S. from abroad. In addition, you are advised to confirm requirements for your place of origin and your specific airline. Note also that travel restrictions into the U.S. remain in place from specific countries.

If I am unable to attend due to COVID-19 travel restrictions issued by my country or the U.S., can I cancel and receive a refund?
If you become aware of a travel restriction and can no longer attend a program, please contact us as soon as possible: negotiation@law.harvard.edu to discuss available options regarding your enrollment.

DURING THE PROGRAM

What proof of testing is required?
While PON no longer requires participants to provide proof of a negative viral test during registration for in-person programs, it is recommended that participants take a COVID-19 test prior to departing for the program to avoid the need to miss the program should the participant test positive.

If during the program, participants feel unwell and/or experience/exhibit symptoms, participants must temporarily quarantine and take a rapid COVID-19 test.

Self-administered rapid tests will be made available to participants throughout the program upon request.

What should I do if I am experiencing potential COVID-19 symptoms within 10 days of the start of the program?
If you are experiencing any potential COVID-19 symptoms, including fever, chills or muscle/body aches; sore throat; new cough, congested or runny nose (not related to seasonal allergies), fatigue, or headache; shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; loss of taste or smell; nausea or vomiting; and diarrhea, or if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 within 10 days of the program start date, please contact us as soon as possible to discuss your situation.

What happens if I test positive for COVID-19 while in Cambridge for the program?
If you test positive for the virus, you will be required to isolate in your place of lodging. The isolation period is generally five full days after the date of the positive test (but might be longer depending on your health). Participants who test positive will be responsible for all meals and lodging for the duration of the program.

Will I be required to quarantine if a fellow participant tests positive?
Close contacts do not need to automatically quarantine. If a participant starts to feel unwell and/or experience/exhibit any symptoms, however, PON policy requires that participants temporarily quarantine in their place of lodging and test for COVID-19. More information will be provided at that time.

Will I be required to wear a mask?
Masks and face coverings are optional for all in-person PON programs. The decision to wear a mask in settings where it is not required is a personal one and all PON participants are encouraged to choose the option with which they are most comfortable. A supply of masks will be available for participants upon request.

Please note that participants may encounter locations where a mask is still required and therefore encourage participants to always carry a mask with them.

What precautions are in place at the program venues?
For hotel COVID-19 Protocols, please visit The Charles Hotel’s website for programs including Negotiation and Leadership and the Master Class, and The Sheraton Commander’s website for Mediating Disputes.

RESCHEDULED PROGRAMS, CANCELLATIONS, TRANSFERS, AND REFUNDS

What if my course is cancelled or rescheduled?
If your course is cancelled or moved to a virtual format due to COVID-19, you will be notified as soon as possible. If your course is modified (for example, to a virtual format), you will have the option to transfer your enrollment to a future course offering, or receive a full refund for your paid program tuition, less any exchange rate difference and/or bank fees.

What will happen if I transfer to another program and the tuition fee is different than my cancelled program?
If the new program fee is higher, you will be invoiced for the difference. If the new program fee is lower, a refund for the difference will be issued.

Will PON refund any travel fees or other incurred costs related to attendance of a cancelled program?
If PON cancels a course, PON is not responsible for any airfare, lodging or other cost or losses incurred by registrants.

Reset Password for the PON Website:

1. Please visit https://www.pon.harvard.edu/account/change-password/.
2. Once on that page, enter your email address and click the red button:

3. You will receive an email from the Program on Negotiation confirming your request to reset your password. Click on the BOTTOM link in the email, and you will be taken to the website to choose a new password. Enter your new password twice and then click the “Update Profile” button.

4. You will then see a message on the screen confirming that your profile has been updated.

General Information:

Where is the Program on Negotiation (PON) located?

Our offices are located at 501 Pound Hall, Harvard Law School, 1563 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138.

In addition, PON faculty members maintain offices at Harvard Law School, Harvard Business School, the Harvard Kennedy School, MIT, and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

Is the PON office open to the public?

Not during COVID-19. Ordinarily, visitors are welcome to visit PON’s offices, where various materials about PON’s courses, events, publications, teaching materials, and other resources are available. Visitors are also welcome to browse PON’s non-circulating library, which contains many books on negotiation topics; please contact the office to make an appointment.

How do I contact PON?

You may contact PON by telephone at 1-800-391-8629 (if calling from outside the US: 301-528-2676) and by e-mail at pon@law.harvard.edu.

PON’s mailing address is:
The Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School, Pound Hall, 1563 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge MA 02138.

How do I replace or request additional copies of a PON certificate of completion?

Past participants can replace or request additional copies of a certificate for a fee ($40 plus shipping) via the MyReOrder module. The request form will direct individuals to provide details including name, course taken and course dates. Once submitted, individuals will receive email notifications throughout the process on the status of their request.

Requests will be reviewed by PON staff and approved if enrollment and participation can be verified. Certificates requests will be processed at the end of each month so please plan for at least 4-6 weeks for fulfillment from the date of your approval. Please note, requests will reflect the current certificate layout regardless of when individuals participated in the course.

If you participated in a course prior to September 2009, please plan for a longer fulfillment timeline. Please note: if you participated in the Program of Instruction for Lawyers prior to 2006, we are unable to provide a certificate. However, our office can issue a letter of completion if we can verify your enrollment and attendance. You do not need to submit through MyReOrder; please email pon@law.harvard.edu.

How can I purchase negotiation exercises, videotapes, case studies, teaching notes, course syllabi, texts, and other publications produced by PON?

Negotiation materials are available through the PON Teaching Negotiation Resource center, PON’s educational resource center. PON Teaching Negotiation Resource center products have been developed or endorsed by PON faculty or affiliates. For information and access to the online catalog, visit the PON Teaching Negotiation Resource center.

How can I get involved with PON?

We invite you to join our LinkedIn group, and to find us on Facebook and Twitter. You can also find out about local events and upcoming courses by signing up to receive emails at our website. Once you have registered on our website, go to the “My Account” section, to manage your email subscriptions.

How do I find out additional information about courses?

Should you have questions about our courses, Customer Service is available to assist at 1-800-391-8629 (if calling from outside the US: 301-528-2676). For additional information on our Executive Education programs, please email negotiation@law.harvard.edu.