# 2026 Conference Event Logistics ## Event Details *“The Weight of the Degree: Rigor, Responsibility, and the Modern Campus”* *Presented by the Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning* *Friday, September 25, 2026* *David Rubenstein Treehouse, Harvard University* Relevant 2026 HILT Conference pages: - [Conference Agenda](https://hilt.harvard.edu/2026-conference-agenda) - [Speaker and facilitator bios](https://hilt.harvard.edu/2026-speaker-facilitator-bios) - [Breakout Sessions](https://hilt.harvard.edu/2026-concurrent-breakout-sessions) - [Lightning Round Showcase](https://hilt.harvard.edu/2026-lightning-round-showcase) ## About the Venue: ### Accessing the building - All conference sessions will be in-person, held at the David Rubenstein Treehouse, [**20 Western Ave, Boston, MA 02134**](https://maps.app.goo.gl/xjBvT9YbBbwgG8v59). - Bring your Harvard ID - A Harvard ID is required to access the venue. Please carry it with you at all times while on site. - Be sure to check in at the registration desk upon arrival. A HILT conference name tag is required for entrance to all the conference sessions listed below. ### Parking information - Guest parking is available on a self-pay, self-park basis. HILT is unable to pay for or validate parking for attendees. To help ensure a smooth arrival, please review your parking options in advance and plan accordingly. - Nearby parking locations include: Soldiers Field Parking Garage and 2 Hague Street Parking. - For current parking rates, availability, and detailed directions, please check the [ZipBy App](https://transportation.harvard.edu/zipby) or the [Harvard Online Parking Permit System (HOPPS)](https://hopps.vpcs.harvard.edu/app/myapp/r/csapps/hopps241/my-account?clear=2&session=3436213098426&cs=3-TESS5eS3Kqj940DSywh0NdgFVT3LfIPlKN3wwTmSsy3GVptP3dYUpEhGdwrGkglB4_ocIeYueU4nUdebF-zNw)*.* Please be sure to observe all posted parking regulations and avoid parking in permit-restricted areas, which may result in ticketing or towing. ## Event Schedule at a Glance: **Where do I check in?** Registration will be located in the **Atrium on the** **3rd floor of the building** **from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM.** Nametags can be picked up here until 1:30 PM. Continental breakfast will be served from **8:30 AM to 10:30 AM** in the Atrium on the 3rd floor. There will be coffee, tea, and water available to all attendees throughout the day. The **morning p****lenary session** will take place on the 3rd floor in **Canopy Room 301** **from 9:00 AM to 10:15 AM**. The afternoon plenary session will take place in **Canopy Room 301** **from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM**. All **concurrent breakout sessions** will be held on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the venue. **Morning breakout sessions will run from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM** and **afternoon breakout sessions will run from 1:15 PM to 2:15 PM**. Please note the breakout session locations/rooms below. The **Lightning Round Showcase,** featuring 8 presenters from across Harvard University, will be held on the 3rd floor in **Canopy Room 301 from 11:45 AM to 12:15 PM**. Lightning Round Presenters from this session will be available at designated tables in Canopy Room 301 for attendees to follow up with specific questions or to make connections during the lunch hour (12:15 PM to 1:00 PM). **Lunch** will be held in **Canopy 301** from **12:15 PM to 1:00 PM**. Attendees are welcome to sit at any table and connect with colleagues. The lunch hour will also offer attendees the opportunity to network with one another. Please note that after lunch, we’ll need to clear Canopy Room 301 to prepare for our afternoon breakout sessions. We will begin asking attendees to wrap up lunch in this room promptly at 1:05 PM. Designated quiet areas, **Cedar Grove Room 220** and **Riverbend Room 201** on the 2nd floor of the venue, will be available for conference attendees. While lunch will be provided, we do encourage everyone to bring light snacks and refreshments to recharge throughout the day. ## Breakout session locations: Registered attendees are invited to join the [concurrent breakout sessions](https://hilt.harvard.edu/2026-concurrent-breakout-sessions) beginning at 10:30 AM, held in the following locations within the David Rubenstein Treehouse. **Morning Concurrent Breakout Sessions 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM** - **Cedar Grove** **Room 220** **(2nd floor)** AI Authenticity in Teaching: A Process, Not a Best Practice - **Riverbend Room 201** **(2nd floor)** Creative Media Content Strategies: Meeting Learners Where They're At - **Lane's Edge Room 205 (2nd floor)** The Learning Alliance: Teaching as Negotiation - **Canopy Room 301 A (3rd floor)** AI Lightning Rounds: A 1-hour session filled with 8+ lightning rounds exclusively about AI - **Canopy Room 301 B (3rd floor)** Prototyping with Purpose: Designing Teaching and Learning Tools with AI **Afternoon Concurrent Breakout Sessions 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM** - **Cedar Grove Room 220 (2nd floor)** Designing Teams for Team Health in Team-based Courses - **Riverbend Room 201 (2nd floor)** Teaching and Mentoring New Teachers to Foster a Teaching Culture of Excellence and Connection - **Canopy Room 301 A (3rd floor)** Beyond Compliance: Rethinking Accreditation and Educational Effectiveness in an Era of AI - **Canopy Room 301 B** **(3rd floor)** Open Inquiry Please follow the event signage throughout the venue to find your session. If you’re unsure where to go, please ask a conference volunteer for assistance.