Space Use and Reservations

Boston University is honored to have received from past generations and generosities the gifts of Marsh Chapel and Marsh Plaza. Worship services, weddings, memorials, and spiritual gatherings, as well as annual and significant university and community events are held in Marsh Chapel. These events, which utilize both the Chapel and the Plaza, will take priority over all other requests. Students, faculty, and staff are asked to honor the historical, architectural, symbolic, and spiritual significance and centrality of Marsh Chapel and Marsh Plaza on Boston University’s campus when considering the types of requests and proposed uses of the space.

All reservations for the BU Beach/Alpert Mall are made through the Events and Conferences Office.

Use of Marsh Chapel, Robinson Chapel, Thurman Room, or the Marsh Room

For regular weekly use of space in Marsh Chapel, please fill out this Reservations form.

Any use of space in the Chapel must be requested on a Space Request Form and approved in writing by the Dean and/or Director of the Chapel. Use of space within Marsh Chapel is generally restricted to Student Organizations registered  with the Student Activities Office and Boston University Departments. No approval is final until written confirmation is received from the Chapel. All approvals are subject to change or cancellation by the Chapel in case of urgent need. Space Requests require approximately two weeks for processing. The Chapel will not be held responsible for any publicity or other arrangements made by a group before final approval of an event’s space is granted. Please see the table below for fees associated with chapel use.

Each student group may have no more than one weekly meeting at the Chapel. Requests for additional space will be subject to availability and special approval.

All rooms will be returned to the condition in which they were found. Liability for any damage of property is the responsibility of the group or individual that booked the space at the time when the damage occurred.

The use of any room in the Chapel for personal income or profit will not be permitted.

Amplified sound is not permitted in any of the ground floor rooms except by specific prior arrangement with the Dean of the Chapel.

As a rule, fraternity initiations, student film projects, sleepovers, and outside vendors are not permitted at Marsh Chapel

Any request which involves solicitation of funds or sales requires the requester to arrange a meeting with the Dean of the Chapel before authorization can be considered.

Use of Marsh Plaza

All requests for use of Marsh Plaza must be made through 25Live. Requests are reviewed on a weekly basis. Please allow at least two weeks for your request to be processed.

Special approval is required to use outside locations for events. Only BU student groups or departments are permitted to use the Plaza.  The Plaza is available only by permission of the Chapel and following the Chapel’s guidelines and regulations.

Worship services, weddings, memorials, and spiritual gatherings, as well as annual and significant university and community events are held in Marsh Chapel. These events, which utilize the Plaza, will take priority over all other requests. Students, faculty, and staff are asked to honor the historical, architectural, symbolic, and spiritual significance and centrality of Marsh Plaza on Boston University’s campus when considering the types of requests and proposed uses of the space.

Amplified sound is not allowed during class times or when events are being held in the Main Chapel. Passage, access, and egress for all across the Plaza must be taken under consideration. Tape, adhesive, paint, and chalk may not be used on any surface of Marsh Plaza, including the stone. Groups must arrange for their own tables and chairs on the Plaza. The Chapel is unable to provide these.

Any request which involves solicitation of funds or sales requires the requester to arrange a meeting with the Dean of the Chapel before authorization can be considered.

Recitals, Dramatic Presentations, and Special Events

Marsh Chapel is no longer accepting Recital Requests for the SPRING 2023 Semester. We apologize for any inconvenience.

If you are interested in booking space to hold a recital, dramatic performance, or other special event at Marsh Chapel, please make a reservation to meet with our Staff Coordinator. The Staff Coordinator is usually available to meet Monday through Thursday from 10 am to 4 pm, (617)353-3560.

You must meet with the Staff Coordinator before submitting a recital, dramatic performance, or other special event agreement form. An agreement must be signed and returned before the event will be added to the Marsh Chapel schedule.

Recitals, dramatic performances, and special events are subject to the following fee structure:

Boston University Student Recitals (Graded)

The Chapel is not able to schedule degree recitals on Friday evenings, Saturdays, or Sundays.

Marsh Chapel BU Student Recital Request

Event	With Income	Without Income
Organ degree recitals / concerts	$50.00	Free
Non-organ degree recitals / concerts	$100.00	$100.00
Lectures / dramatic presentations	$100.00	$100.00

Boston University Registered Student Groups

Event	With Income	Without Income
Organ degree recitals / concerts	$300.00	$200.00
Non-organ degree recitals / concerts	$300.00	$200.00
Lectures / dramatic presentations	$300.00	$200.00

Boston University Departments, Faculty, and Administrative Units

BU Department, Faculty, or Administrative Unit Concert Request Form

Event	With Income	Without Income
Concerts	$400.00	$200.00
Graduations / ceremonies	$400.00	$200.00
Lectures / dramatic presentations	$400.00	$200.00

Non-affiliated groups and individuals

Event	With Income	Without Income
Concerts	$1000.00	$500.00
Lectures / dramatic presentations	$1000.00	$500.00

Non-affiliated requests are handled on a case by case basis and require approval from the Chapel Director.

Fees must be fully paid two weeks before the event. The fee for recitals, dramatic presentations, and concerts covers use of space for two hours for the event and one two-hour dress rehearsal to be arranged with the Chapel Staff. The two-hour space reservation for the performance will begin 30 minutes prior to your performance start time. If a more substantial reservation for your event is necessary, all fees are subject to a $50 increase per half-hour or portion thereof. The fee for all other events is charged per use.

Fees for any event not listed here will be set by the Dean of the Chapel.

Groups expecting income from admission, tickets, or film/sound recordings, etc. made at the Chapel must indicate this on their Event Agreement, and are subject to the fee category “with admission”. Groups charging no admission, planning no sales of recordings, etc. or religious groups accepting donations are subject to the fee category “no admission”.  Please note:  Marsh Chapel is not able to provide Stage Crew personnel but chairs and music stands without lights are available for use. Please reach out to our Staff Coordinator (617)353-3560 to discuss your event’s specific needs.

Instruments

1. Use of the Chapel’s Cassavant Organ is only by prior arrangement with the Chapel Music Director. After use, the organ must be returned to the condition in which it was found (blower off, pistons unchanged, organ bench risers returned). Please report any problems or difficulties to the Music Director or Chapel Staff.

2. The upstairs piano is a performance instrument and remains locked when not in use. If you wish use of the piano for a performance, you must indicate this on the Space Request Form.

3. Use of the Noack Organ in the Robinson Room must be requested on a Space Request Form, and approved by the Chapel Staff. The instrument must be turned off when not in use.

4. Set up of additional instruments and equipment for a performance requires special approval. You must indicate all performance plans on the Space Request Form

5. Failure to treat any instrument properly will result in denial of future requests to use the instruments.