House Committee

Dr. Juan J. Carmona, g’10, ph’10, m’16, Chair

Anthony M. Consigli, ’89; Charles F. Cornish, Legacy; Victoria Cornish; Colin Hendrickson; Courtney L. Jacobovits, gsd’16, MIT’22

Jillian C. McGrath, Legacy; John I. Meyer, gsd’77; Peri Onipede David Rodriguez, YG’12; Edward M. Sibble, ’73; Isaac Silberberg, MIT’16 Dr. John Tamilio; Christine Tuttle

Introduction

With the utmost pleasure, I humbly submit this House Committee Report, in preparation for our 2023 Annual Meeting. The tireless efforts of our Committee are dedicated to advancing the Harvard Club of Boston's world-class facilities, culinary offerings, athletic amenities, selection of reciprocal club peers, and fine arts initiatives all integral to a thriving, member-centric community experience

To this end, I express my sincerest gratitude to each Sub-Committee head and our invaluable collaborating staff members. Additionally, I provide a succinct yet comprehensive summary of noteworthy accomplishments and ongoing initiatives, which I am privileged to share with our esteemed membership.

Sub-Committees

Athletics: We are thrilled to announce that, under the exceptional leadership of Jillian McGrath, in collaboration with Athletic Department Manager Valerie Phillips and Squash Professional Sharon Bradey, our fitness and squash program continues to thrive. With over sixteen virtual classes and consistently high attendance, our Club offers a highly successful virtual fitness program that sets us apart from our peers. As COVID-19 restrictions are now lifted, we are excited to revitalize our squash program. Our Club Championships have returned, and we are excited to introduce pickleball as a new offering. Ms. McGrath has prepared a comprehensive report that outlines these and other significant accomplishments, which we are delighted to share with our members

Facilities: Glen Ballard has played an instrumental role in the restoration of our Member Workspace, which sustained damages during the June 2022 flood, and has successfully brought it back to better than its original condition. Furthermore, he has contributed to the Club's sustainability efforts by installing a water bottle refilling station in the 3rd floor Member Lounge, leading to a significant reduction in our reliance on bottled water. The Member Commons space has been thriving as a strategic amenity for our members looking for a comfortable space to unwind.

It caters to a diverse range of needs with its dedicated workspace, lounge area with complimentary beverages and snacks, and a conference room that can be reserved for up to 90 minutes for private meetings. Our generous 22-seat Committee Room, equipped with best-in-class hybrid connectivity and comfortable seating, serves as the perfect venue for Club Committees and Board meetings.

We have also undertaken several renovation projects, including the redesign and reconstruction of the second-floor bathrooms to ensure they are ADA compliant. The brick repointing work is almost complete, and the first phase of the roof replacement project is set to begin soon The front patio project is currently awaiting permitting, and we hope to receive approval by the fall Our team is eager to receive feedback from designers to improve the Front Entrance, Foyer, ClubPub, and Massachusetts and Aesculapian Rooms. Last summer, we updated the bathrooms in the three prior-pending hotel rooms, completing all 25 rooms with new bathroom finishes, lighting, plumbing, and fixtures. We are planning to upgrade the HVAC system for the overnight rooms, and LC Anderson will be suggesting a new chiller unit.

Fine Arts: Peri Onipede has demonstrated exceptional leadership in leading a highly collaborative team that remains dedicated to connecting our Club's spaces, walls, and history. In particular, the team has focused on transforming the walls of the Massachusetts Room to better represent our current Club and the Harvard community. Phase One of the project, which involved replacing the prior artwork on the walls of the Massachusetts Room with portraits of distinguished Harvard figures such as Dr. Alice Hamilton, Dr. Evelyn Hammonds, and Dr. Paul Farmer, has been successfully completed. The team is now moving onto Phase Two, which includes updating and renovating the Massachusetts Room itself, with plans to improve the floor, windows, ceiling, walls, lighting, and HVAC. The Fine Arts Committee will continue to work closely with the House Committee, and we are grateful for the diligent efforts of Peri Onipede and the Fine Arts team in bringing many significant enhancements to fruition already

Food & Beverage: Dr John Tamilio has shared that the Food & Beverage Sub-Committee's participation remains robust, and the team has recently welcomed two members to offer fresh perspectives. Dr. Tamilio frequently updated the House on various culinary activities, ranging from insights on the most recent Cocktail 374 event to cooking classes and member feedback regarding their experiences at Veritas. This Sub-Committee reviews all seasonal menu changes, including those requested or recommended by Sub-Committee members, as well as those triaged by management in response to data from the Happometer tool. The Club's overall hospitality goal is to provide an enjoyable and holistic culinary experience in Veritas and our other dining spaces. To achieve this, elements such as comfortable room temperature, appropriate background music volume, and nuanced ambient lighting are crucial components that complement the food and dining experience, much like an excellent wine pairing. At the heart of our food and beverage experience is our best-in-class staff, who always offer a warm greeting and exceptional professional service to match our Club's world-class cuisine.

Reciprocal Clubs: Reciprocal club usage increased last year as travel picked up. Mat Sibble has admirably led this Sub-committee in adding several new clubs to our reciprocal network, both domestically and internationally. The Sub-committee continues to monitor current clubs and evaluate their potential against our industry-leading standards of inclusiveness and accessibility. We appreciate the Sub-committee's excellent work in expanding our exceptional reciprocal network, with a focus on underrepresented locations, both domestic and international. We always welcome comments and suggestions from members regarding their experiences with reciprocal clubs and suggestions for new ones. Mr. Sibble has submitted a comprehensive report that details the Subcommittee's latest successes.

Conclusion

I extend my deepest and sincerest gratitude to all the individuals featured in this House Committee Report, along with their respective Sub-Committee teams. Through their tireless efforts, we have accomplished so much and remain poised for even greater achievements

I would like to offer a special token of gratitude to General Manager Steve Cummings, whose unwavering support, decisive leadership, and exemplary resilience during the past year continues to inspire us all. Thanks to his steadfast commitment and the unwavering dedication of our staff, we have emerged as a stronger and more vibrant Club community.

It is an honor to serve alongside such dedicated colleagues, and I am grateful for all that you do. Let us continue to uphold the high standards of our Club and serve our members with the utmost care and professionalism.

Respectfully submitted,

Dr. Juan J. Carmona, g‘10, ph’10, m’16 Chair