"It all ended up coming out alright," Riley said.
In addition to HUPD's costs, the Harvard News Office spent several thousand dollars in advertising, videotapes, film, and overtime for staff during the sit-in, according to spokesperson Joe Wrinn--who often spent more than 12 hours a day dealing with the media during the protest.
While salaried administrators do not get paid overtime, Harvard officials say the total cost in time alone cannot be calculated. They had daily conference calls, regularly attended rallies outside Mass. Hall, and met with protesters throughout the three-weak stand-off.
"It will be weeks before I catch up on regular duties," said Associated Dean of the College David P. Illingworth '67, who estimated that the protest took up around half of each day during the three weeks.
Finally, after the protest ended Tuesday, Harvard brought in cleaners to vacuum, shampoo, disinfect, and polish the Mass. Hall offices the protesters had occupied.
The University also had to reseed the Yard, where rallies and tents had worn away the young grass.
--Staff Writer Garrett M. Graff can be reached at ggraff@fas.harvard.edu.