After fielding months of phone calls and questions regarding the use of Harvard's name in Internet domains, the provost's office yesterday issued a new set of guidelines primarily directed at University users.

The policy clarifies and expands upon a 1997 policy on the use of Harvard names and insignia. That policy did not mention the Internet.

The new version was sent to deans at Harvard's various schools.

The guidelines were necessary because many people were unsure if the original policy also applied to the Internet, according to Assistant Provost Sarah E. Wald.

"It made sense to come up with electronic guidelines," said Wald, who worked on the new document. "Since we are trying to police the use of our name outside, we are also trying to police the name inside."

According to the new rules, users must obtain the permission of Provost Harvey V. Fineberg '67 before using "Harvard" in an Internet domain, an e-mail address or a website title. Those who wish to use common abbreviations for Harvard's faculties--for example, "HLS" for Harvard Law School--must consult the school's dean.

The rules do not apply to personal addresses like jane_doe@harvard.edu, according to the guidelines. Wald also said it does not apply to personal home pages, such as www.fas.harvard.edu/ ~doe.

Rather, the guidelines are designed to prevent problems stemming from the registry of such names as harvardtechnology.com, she said.