The Housing Day Issue by The Harvard Independent

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03.12.15 VOL. XLVI, NO. 16 CONTENTS FORUM 3 An Honored Tradition 4 Blocky Roads 5 Blast to Housing Past MAKING A HOUSE A HOME 6 Quincy / Lowell 7 Pfoho / Cabot 8 Currier / Eliot 9 Winthrop / Kirkland 10 Dunster / Leverett 11 Mather /Adams

The Indy is excited for housing day.

03.12.15

Cover design by Anna Papp, inspired by March 18th, 1999 The Housing Day Issue cover of The Indy. Inside: e River, e Quad, and Blocking Groups

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As Harvard College's weekly undergraduate newsmagazine, the Harvard Independent provides in-depth, critical coverage of issues and events of interest to the Harvard College community. The Independent has no political affiliation, instead offering diverse commentary on news, arts, sports, and student life. For publication information and general inquiries, contact President Albert Murzakhanov (president@harvardindependent.com). Letters to the Editor and comments regarding the content of the publication should be addressed to Editor-in-Chief Shaquilla Harrigan (editorinchief@harvardindependent.com). For email subscriptions please email president@harvardindependent.com. The Harvard Independent is published weekly during the academic year, except during vacations, by The Harvard Independent, Inc., Student Organization Center at Hilles, Box 201, 59 Shepard Street, Cambridge, MA 02138. Copyright © 2015 by The Harvard Independent. All rights reserved.

Albert Murzakhanov '16 Farhana Nabi '16 Shaquilla Harrigan '16 Sean Frazzette '16 Aditya Agrawal '17 Ritchey Howe '17 Michael Luo '16 Caroline Cronin '18 Anna Papp '16 Caroline Gentile '17 Andrew Lin '17 Yaara Yacoby '17 Alice Linder '17 Abigail Parker '17 Whitney Gao '16 Manik Bhatia '16 Terilyn Chen '16 Yuqi Hou '15 Chloe Li '16 Dominique Luongo '17 Orlea Miller '16 Carlos Schmidt '15 Frank Tamberino '16 Jackie Leong '16 Madi Taylor '16 Shreya Vardhan '17 Peyton Fine '17 Eloise Lynton '17 Hannah Kates '18 Chris Riley '17 Andrew Adler '17

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Housing Day

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A Brief History of one of Harvard’s most fun traditions. By CAROLINE C. CRONIN

ousing day is upon us! Leading up to this day freshmen have stressed over the creation of blocking groups and wondered if they should link with those kids from upstairs. The ups and downs and awkward encounters of those precious days are in the past. The groups are in and the house in which you will spend the next three formative years of your lives has been fatalistically determined. Whether you wanted Eliot or Mather, Lowell or Cabot, the greater power that is an algorithm-driven lottery has decided for you today. As with every big moment at Harvard, there are a few notable traditions surrounding this day. Housing Day may be unique in these traditions because they are all relatively new—given that most of these traditions were not implemented until after the lottery system had been instituted. One of today’s most popular Housing Day customs is the infamous “River Run”—even though it is technically banned by the administration and denounced as anything but a tradition. Originating in the class of 2011, the River Run is apart of a larger trend in Housing Day Eve activities of house hopping and sacrifices to the river gods. Like rubbing John Harvard’s foot, these customs are both meant to bring you luck and are daring (questionably so) moves to make in the face of potential legal consequences. Boat burning down at the river was also popular for a short period of time before it The Harvard Independent • 03.12.15

was brought to an end due to the fact that it was completely illegal. Students would write the name of the house they wanted on a small paper boat, set it on fire and float it off down the Charles (I imagine with funeral pyre music playing in the background). These festivities were born around 2000. Who knows what new traditions will emerge in the years to come? Besides the drunken Housing Day Eve shenanigans, there are a few other beloved Housing Day traditions that are enjoyed by both the freshmen and the upperclassmen. The videos that each house puts together leading up to Housing Day are watched over and over again by students trying to pick their favorite house. The videos this year showcased the usual gusto and house spirit—not to mention some brilliant editing and vocals. For the upperclassmen, these videos present one of the best parts of house spirit and a little bit of interhouse competition.

The best part of Housing Day comes along when freshmen are hand-delivered their housing assignments amid cheers and swarms of upperclassmen. And then, as they file into Annenberg later that day, students are surprised by the sense of community that they are immediately faced with. In one morning, freshmen have gone from simple Yardlings to members of tightly-knit communities spread across Harvard. Emma Kantor ‘17 recounts her experience of being handed Cabot gear and Swedish Fish from Dean Rakesh himself – stating “it was kind of a way for Cabot to make fun of themselves and welcome you into the house community.” Sophomore Rachel Star agrees, “I love that moment when all the freshmen walk into the ’Berg and meet a bunch of other freshmen in their house. I feel like that’s the moment people start to feel community and see house life as something other than just blocking.” Housing Day is a lot more than figuring our your blocking group and learning what house you’re in. It can be about meeting new people and learning how to make a home for yourself wherever you are. No matter where we all end up, Harvard is what we make it, and it is home. So enjoy today and celebrate your new house! Caroline Cronin ’18 (ccronin@college.harvard.edu) looks forward to the excitement of Housing Day. Photo courtesy of Shaquilla Harrigan.

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To block or Not to Block Ramblings that will not be of interest to anyone, regardless of year or house affiliation.

By SALI YI

f you asked me in high school to form a blocking group, I would have probably decided to block solo. For as long as I can remember, I have never had one “set” group of 8 friends that I hang out with exclusively, and my experiences in high school were indicative of that. I spent a considerable amount of time with my orchestra friends, with my friends from AP US friends, with my other best friend Julie who lived up the street from me, with my field hockey and lacrosse teammates, with my Korean friends who I met from family events, my mock trial and FBLA friends, and with my out-of-school friends-- my boyfriend and my BAFFL who I undoubtedly spent the most time with outside of school. So when I decided to come to Harvard last spring, I was a bit concerned about the blocking process—having to find “a group” on campus four months after arriving on campus—sounded daunting, and I didn’t think it was going to work out. I didn’t like the idea of being confined to a group that could be up to only eight people because what if there was a ninth person? What if I was the ninth person? Adding to that was the fact that I was in a single in Apley where I had my own bathroom and no suitemates. This made it more difficult for me to see the merits in tying myself down to a blocking group. I originally planned to float, because I felt that it fit my personality and my needs just fine; I was already used to having to trek to the yard from Apley to visit my friends, and I enjoyed the considerable amount of alone-time I had with my thoughts during a time 4 harvardindependent.com

when everything else around me was pretty chaotic. I like the ability to socialize when I want to, but my introverted self liked the idea of floating—plus, if I hated the Quad or Winthrop, I wouldn’t hurt my blockmates’ feelings by transferring out junior year! My proctor told us to be selfish when it came to blocking, and to block with people who would be good roommates— not just our best friends. I realized that I have a lot of people, who I love, but I would not be down for living with, and that added to my interest of floating. He also told us that the most common blocking group sizes are eight and one, so I realized that my interest of floating wasn’t that weird (or was it?). As the deadline for the whole blocking thing got closer, I realized that floating was starting to sound a lot more lonely, and that I wanted to at least link with some of my friends’ groups. Then I found myself joining a group very spur of the moment. My friend Esther, the first person I met at Harvard (we shared a cab to campus from the airport to FUP) asked me what I was thinking about doing blocking-wise, and I found myself joining her blocking group within four hours. I’m now blocking with Esther and three other FUPpies (which I wasn’t expecting), along with two of my friends’ friends who I don’t know that well yet (which I like, because that means more new friends)! However, now that I’m in a group of seven, I feel more anxiety about which house we’re going to get. I’ve trained myself to not wince at the word ‘Quad’, so I’d actually be pretty psyched about getting

Cabot (don’t tell my blockmates). Also, if I get the Quad, then I won’t spend all of my money at Liqueteria once it opens later this spring on acai bowls—I’ll have to make them myself in my dorm. My blockmates and I had a very intense pro/con debate on the merits of each house. One of my blockmates noted that his dad had been in Mather, so Mather sounds cool (singles for life but… Mather…). The Eliot brain breaks we had gone to were prime (one had chocolate fondue), and a lot of us had eaten in Lowell and thought that the location didn’t outweigh the food. I had eaten at Dunster once before and found the food amazing. We even had some of their fresh ground peanut butter. Also because they just went under renovation they were high up on our list. Adams had the best location, the turkeys frequented the yard, and the dining hall was pretty good. I’m surprised to see myself changing the way I felt about blocking so quickly and so much, but I am really happy to be going into sophomore year with this group of people. I’ve already accepted that whatever house I’m in next year will be a considerable downgrade from my room right now in Apley, and that I’ll no longer be able to do my readings while taking a bubble bath every other night. I’m excited/scared/about to go to a séance with my blockmates to repeat ‘Adam’s, ‘Eliot’ and ‘Dunster’ over and over in candlelight. Sali Yi ’18 (sallyyi@college.harvard.edu) is anxiously anticipating the knock on her door. 03.12.15 • The Harvard Independent

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#tbt - Housing Days of Years Past

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HOUSING DAY!

Not an Igloo

Penguins thrive in Quincy House.

By KARA BIRKENMAYER

he nigh endless list of the boons of living in Quincy House must start with its location. Quadlings and river folk alike stream to its dining hall at mealtimes, lured not only by its centrality, but also by its beautiful views, kind staff, and ample sunlight (I mean, when Cambridge graces us with some). You even get used to the mural after a while. The amenities are impressive in both number and quality: apart from a gym, a library, and well-equipped music rooms, Quincy boasts a pool table, a Ping-Pong table, and even a pottery studio. The newly renovated Stone Hall basement houses a smart classroom decked out

with cutting edge technology—dry erase painted walls, am I right? —And the Kates/Tobin Community Room’s color scheme never fails to revive tired eyes. While the Qube offers an intimate study space that doesn’t suck souls like latenight Lamont does. Housemasters Deb and Lee Gehrke, are approachable, enthusiastic, and endlessly caring about residents, and the view from their rooftop pad is completely unmatched—my Quincy pride always crescendos as I look down on the other houses from there during open house events. Still not convinced? Try a nutella milkshake from the legendary Quincy

Grille at 3AM on a Sunday morning and then get back to me. Besides, who doesn’t love penguins? Kara Birkenmayer '17 (kbirkenmayer@college. harvard.edu) has Q-house pride through and through. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Get Lowell, Lowell, Lowell, Lowell Lowell House is just as fun as the videos suggest.

By ELOISE LYNTON

veryone knows Lowell is one of the best (read: the best) houses on campus. We’ve got tons of crazy traditions, a charming bell tower, and a bright yellow dining hall. Really, what more could you ask for? If the River Gods looked down kindly on you on housing day, and you were lucky enough to get put in Lowell, you’ve got an amazing three years ahead of you. Here’s why! Lowell House will not leave you bored. We’ve got a rock climbing wall, squash courts, a dance studio, and underground tunnels. If that’s not enough for you, you can come party at Glowell in the Lowell Grill (which actually serves no food), or come get paint from the Lowell art room (which actually does have art supplies). Our dining hall is perhaps the most eccentric room in our house. With its bright yellow walls, sparkly Chandeliers, 6 harvardindependent.com

and checkered floors, you better be prepared for an aesthetically wacky setting when you chow down on those Veritaffles. Our dining hall also has some fantastic staff. Derek, at the grill, will

most sought after celebrities, including Matt Damon ‘92 and Natalie Portman ’03. We were also home to some of our country’s most celebrated writers. Both John Updike ’54 Michael Crichton ’64 spent three years in Lowell. Today, our House Masters Diana Eck and Dorothy Austin are basically Harvard celebrities in their own right. We have a great sense of community in Lowell, and we like to unite through our traditions all day every day. We have Lowell Tea every Thursday, the Bell Towers that ring once a week. Then there are Lowell Speeches in the spring and the Lowell Opera. Basically, if you’re lucky enough to get Lowell, you’ll never be lonely, you’ll never be make you off-menu specialties if you ask bored, and you’ll never be quiet. nicely enough, and Greta is always ready to have an interesting conversation (in Eloise Lynton '17 (eloiselynton@college. English or Portuguese!) harvard.edu) is never lonely, bored, or quiet. Lowell was home to some of Hollywood’s Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. 03.12.15 • The Harvard Independent

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Pfabulous Pfoho

Pfoho is ready to welcome pfreshmen.

By ALBERT MURZAKHANOV AND ANNA PAPP

luxurious House overlooking the quad lawn (and more importantly, the quad shuttle station), Pfoho cannot be beat. Pfortunate pfreshmen placed in Pfoho should shed tears of happiness this Housing Day Thursday. This lucky future Class of 2018 Quadlings will have truly won the housing lottery. Yes, the Quad may seem pfar, but there is no doubt how much good a little distance can do for de-stressing. As you can tell pfrom our 2015 Housing Day video, you can see that we not just a house, but rather a home. Students are guaranteed singles or enormous suites sometimes even pfeaturing common rooms with kitchen, pfrom the pfateful day when they are lucky enough to receive their acceptance

letters pfrom polar bears who were never bothered by the cold, anyway. But if they were, Pfoho’s pfamous double dining hall that offers a comfortable and spacious place to eat and study. And when the dining hall pfood just doesn’t do it, pfear not: the Quad Grill is always stocked with mozz sticks, milkshakes, burgers, and quesadillas. Pfoho is also the scene of the pfamous 90s dance and wonderful Pfoho Pfridays usually featuring delicious Pfelipe’s guacamole and chips. Housemasters John Durant, Anne Harrington, and their Chelsea-loving, X-box fanatic nine-year old Jamie, have been remarkable additions to the Pfoho pfamily, and have spent their two years here welcoming students with open arms. Other than the opening of the luxurious

spa with an upscale massage chair that has its own soundtrack, the planning of a party space in the basement, and the introduction of “Lunch on the House” that lets students take out their TFs or professors anywhere in the Square, the new Housemasters have truly spoiled Pfohomies with splendid Housemaster Open Houses. Whatever our River friends may say, those who are lucky enough to pass under the arch of Pforzheimer House will not be disappointed. And the walk really isn’t that pfar. Albert Murzakhanov '16 (murzakhanov@ college.harvard.edu) and Anna Papp '16 (annapapp@college.harvard.edu) pfeel right at home in Pfoho. Photo courtesy of Albert Murzakhanov.

Real Talk

No need to fish for reasons to like Cabot House.

By RITCHEY HOWE

hen I first heard I was We can all agree that Harvard is a placed in the quad, I did stressful environment. Cabot enables cry. I believed I would never you to physically separate from these see anyone, that my social life would stresses. After seeing my friends’ walkdrastically change, and that my throughs and closet-sized doubles, class participation would plummet. I feel fortunate for my large single. However, I am here to assure you that Additionally, I am personally not a fan this is not the case whatsoever. of the shuttle whatsoever. Therefore, Cabot has provided me with a large on my walks to class I have found time single, a close connection with the to call my family and find new music. Dean of the college, a high quality So although you may cry when the dining hall, a wonderful house gym, Cabot fish comes to your door, know and most importantly a beautiful that there are many benefits that will escape. I wake up every morning manifest throughout your time here. overlooking a large lawn surrounded by beautiful brick buildings. While there are certainly many times walking to class in the snow Ritchey Howe '17 (ritcheyhowe@college.harvard.edu) is waiting for Dean or rain that I think to myself, “I would save so much time if I didn’t Khurana's album to drop. have to commute,” I have recognized how desperately I need a space Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. to myself. The Harvard Independent • 03.12.15

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HOUSING DAY!

Carry Me to Currier Barking up the right tree.

By ADITYA AGRAWAL

ne of Currier’s best traditions is Cougars and Cubs, a party where senior girls invite sophomore guys in the house. Currier also hosts the annual Heaven and Hell party, the largest and oldest annual Halloween celebration on campus. A massive lower level entrance lounge (fondly called the Fishbowl) serves as the ‘Hell’ whereas the sprawling Ten Man party suite serves as ‘Heaven’. The Currier Ten Man is arguably the best party dorm at Harvard, with parties every other weekend. Living in the Ten Man comes with the implicit responsibility to organize community wide social events. The Solarium, with its personal balcony, also hosts a string of parties every semester. One of Currier’s biggest perks are the huge singles with personal sinks (and for a sizeable number of people, even personal bathtubs and showers!). You never have to step outside into the blistering cold for

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anything: Currier is horizontally condensed and is basically a long passageway. Feel like not leaving the house for the weekend? Feel like having dinner in your room? Perfect, take a lift two floors down and you will find yourself in the dining hall. Because the entire house is connected and closed off, the house on a whole remains rather warm and toasty throughout the year. Currier’s d-hall is refreshingly modern as opposed to the general Harvard aesthetic. Comes with a water fountain and actual, live plants. Its very zen—ideal place for a quiet lunch when most people are slogging it out in the Yard. It is recognized Collegewide that the Currier D-Hall has the best food.

entry for a ‘Cafeteria’. Famous People: Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer, Yo-Yo Ma, and Neil deGrasse Tyson.

Aditya Agrawal ‘17 (adityaagrawal@college. harvard.edu) can’t wait to be a Currier Courier on Housing Day. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Secrets: 1) Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer met in Currier House. 2) The Currier Dining Hall is featured on the Wikipedia

Don’t mess with the Domus.

By JESS CLAY

n the days before randomization, when each house retained its particular reputation borne of its particular constituency, one house towered above all others. The tower was viridian green, and the house was Eliot. Rife with names from both the Mayflower and the first boat of the Harvard crew, Eliot stood as a bastion of privilege within a bastion of privilege. Draco Malfoy would have cackled gleefully had he been sorted into Eliot. Yet even now, with the houses having shed their old reputations like so many aging housecats, it is easy to see why Eliot once inspired envy and desire. The building itself is picturesque, all Georgian redbrick and a gleaming tower. The dining hall is as old Harvard as they come, clad in oil paintings and rich mahogany. Its location on the 8 harvardindependent.com

Charles makes for an easy walk to the Yard, while keeping residents far from the madding crowds of the Square. The mascot is the elephant—or more particularly, the long-extinct mastodon, fittingly distinct from regular elephants by being fossilized, and thus older and whiter. And then there are the in-house events, Gatsby-inspired affairs made possible thrice a year by its own house endowment. So while residents of Eliot may no longer consider themselves better than everyone else, they might well consider their house superior—and they might well be right.

Woodshop, Eliot Grille • Secrets: Its own house endowment; a Leonard Bernstein piano • Famous People: Benazir Bhutto, Leonard Bernstein, Rashida Jones, Ted Kaczynski • Food: Excellent patty melt; impeccable swai • D-Hall Fact: The portrait of Charles Eliot glares at those who cheat on their diets

• Best Tradition: Fête, Eliot’s in-house spring formal Jess Clay ‘17 (jclay@college.harvard.edu) • Party Rooms: Ground Zero, Cockpit is looking to get his Fete tickets early. • Biggest Perks: Rear gate access, Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. 03.12.15 • The Harvard Independent

HOUSING DAY!

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All We Do is Win(throp)

Winthrop doesn’t deserve the shade it’s cast.

By SHAQUILLA HARRIGAN

inthrop is perhaps the only river house that gets cast as much shade as the quad. Is this house that is the former home of John F. Kennedy ‘40 deserving of such eye-rolls? Maybe we hate on Winthrop so much because we are all a little bit jealous that we weren’t handed the winning envelope to this glorious brick residence. Should you be given the opportunity to live in Winthrop, you will have walked the same halls as distinguished alumni like Ted Kennedy ‘56, Robert F. Kennedy ‘48, and Ben Bernanke ‘75. Winthrop remains home to amazing individuals like house masters Ronald Sullivan and Stephanie Robinson who are both on faculty at the Harvard Law. Sullivan and Robinson are the first African-

American house masters at Harvard. Residents put the ‘win’ in Winthrop because they are far and away the top intramural team. This speaks to the house’s tradition of being one of the ‘athlete’ dorms before randomization. In addition to athletic prowess, Winthrop has many house traditions including a spring carnival in Gore Hall’s courtyard. The Winthrop HoCo also sponsors extravagant winter and spring formals. People who talk ish about the rooms of Winthrop should be silenced with breathtaking river views from several suites. In addition, people should rejoice because of Winthrop’s proximity to the river and the MAC. Freshmen, if you get Winthrop, you should chant ‘Shake it Throp’ like in

their 2015 housing day video. Shaquilla Harrigan ‘16 (sharrigan01@college. harvard.edu),though a Matherite herself, shows some respect for Winthrop. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

The Coziest House

Kirkland’s traditions should be enough to entice freshmen.

By CAROLINE GENTILE

o you love cute dogs and adorable babies? Do you have tons of holiday spirit? If so, Kirkland is definitely the house for you. The tight-knit community in Kirkland is unmatched. As one of the smallest houses, everyone at least knows each other’s faces, perhaps from seeing them in the cozy, classically “Harvard” dining hall, or maybe even from making out with those very same faces at Incestfest (like I said, it’s a tight-knit community!). Hicks House, the Kirkland library, is another wonderful feature of Kirkland house. After all, what could possibly make you feel more scholarly than studying in a 200-year-old house (complete with nine study rooms!) with low ceilings, and shelves filled with books that nobody has likely read since early last century? My favorite part about Kirkland, though, definitely has to be Kirkland Secret Santa. For The Harvard Independent • 03.12.15

an entire week, the entire house goes Christmas crazy, barring any non-Kirklanders from entering and surprising their Santees with gifts and pranks. After our annual Holiday Dinner—a rowdy but jovial time, indeed—everyone finds out the much-anticipated identity of the Secret Santa, and makes a new friend in the process. In my opinion, there’s no better place to spend the Holiday season—and, to be honest, your time at Harvard—than in Kirkland house. Caroline Gentile ‘17 (cgentile@college.harvard. edu) hopes freshman get Kirkland as a bonus holiday gift. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

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HOUSING DAY!

Welcome Future Meese

Freshmen should be pumped about getting into Dunster.

By CHRISTOPHER RILEY

I’m not going to lie, I was a little wary of Dunster when a bunch of antler-clad upperclassmen stormed my room freshman year. Not because of the antler-clad upperclassmen (I had heard about how great Dunster’s community is), but because of the supposedly terrible housing. Walkthroughs? N-43 housing? No thanks. But Dunster is being renovated, and the new housing situation should be unreal (no more walkthroughs, brand new rooms, etc.). So with that worry out of the way, I can now brag about all the amazing things Dunster has to offer. Our dining hall is beautiful and the food is objectively the best on campus. Our house masters are amazing—Roger and Ann Porter brought a bag of snacks into the dining hall this past week as people crammed for midterms, so I got to eat four Fruit Rollups while I wrote an essay. Our IMs are well attended and win

more often than not. House spirit is absurdly that all the amenities—the gym, Dunster high. HoCo throws Stein Clubs every other Grille, the study rooms, etc.—are going to be completely revamped. Also, our house mascot is a freaking moose (the plural, is meese, by the way; don’t get that wrong). Those things literally break cars. As an added bonus for freshmen, I really think that the year of swing housing has, if anything, improved Dunster’s community and house spirit AND now everyone is getting excited for the brand new house. So if you are joining the Dunster community next year, you can expect everyone to be thrilled about the beginning of our time in a brand new house with a brand new crop of Sophomore Meese.

Christopher Riley ‘17 (criley01@college.

Friday that are always themed and have harvard.edu) is excited for the dumpster to be great snacks and drinks (alcoholic, if you’re turned into a diamond. over 21 ;). In the new house, rumor has it Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

I’m All Out of Lev I’m so lost without you.

By WHITNEY GAO

everett House is the absolute worst. Let me tell you a little bit more about why this place somewhere between the yard and the ends of the earth (also sometimes referred to as Mather House) is not a house that you want to be in. First of all, why are these rooms so big and new? The renovation completely took away all the dingy corners of the rooms in McKinlock, and the rooms in the towers are all insanely spacious. What in the world am I going to do with all this room? It’s honestly absolutely ridiculous what the house administration expects me to do with all of the space in my room. And the view? I live on the 9th floor of G tower right now, and let me tell you, that sunrise and sunset over the river is appalling. Why are there so many colors? I’m trying to do my philosophy

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reading, okay, and it’s honestly the most distracting thing ever. Secondly, why are the fries so good? It’s making me revisit the trauma of my freshman year again. Carbs on carbs on carbs. Also, why do they have a special omelet bar during Sunday brunches? Why can’t Lev just be like all the other houses and have normal, custom-omelet-bar-less brunches? Having too many options hurts my head. I can’t handle the pressure. And lastly, why does Lev have two courtyards? So bougie. Freshmen, if you’re reading this, Lev is not the place to be. The rooms are too big, the food is too good, and the amenities are too nice. Honestly, you’re better off in Winthrop even.

Whitney Gao ’16 (whitneygao@college.harvard. edu) would like you to know that Lev House is best house. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

03.12.15 • The Harvard Independent

HOUSING DAY!

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Concrete Seduction

Mather is ready to welcome the Class of 2018.

By SHAQUILLA HARRIGAN

hinking back to my freshman year, I remember the anticipation as my blockmates and I awaited our fates. Which house would we get into? Would we have roach-infested walk-throughs in Winthrop? Would the clanging bells of Lowell keep us awake? No. Why, you ask? Because we got accepted to Mather University (#blessed)! When one is—randomly they say, but I think only the most elite get put into the best house—placed into Mather, you are not simply inducted into the Concrete Castle. You become a full-time student of Mather University, the most elite sector of Harvard College. As a Matherite, you should expect an awesome house community, amazing dining hall food (read: brain break every night), and concrete facilities that would protect you from the zombie apocalypse.

Mather is also home to some of the College’s most esteemed and time-honored traditions. As all of you watch the various housing day videos, you all should thank Mather because we filmed the first-ever housing day video. Mather also has the annual Louie Cup, named after our favorite liquor store, that engages Matherites in friendly semi-athletic competitions like water pong and trivia. Mather’s awesomeness is so great that we require two—yes, that’s right, two—mascots: the lion and the gorilla. Mather is also known for its raucous weekend activities (read: parties) including Mather Lather. After a fun night of going out, Matherites can host a private party in their stunning singles. Mather also served as home to famous alumni like CS50 professor (read: cult

leader) David Malan, black philosopher Cornel West, and funny-man Conan O’Brien. Freshman, maybe you, too, can join the ranks of such an esteemed house.

Shaquilla Harrigan ‘16 (sharrigan01@college. harvard.edu) wants the Class of 2018 to feel the warm embrace of concrete. Photo courtesy of Shaquilla Harrigan.

The Golden Ticket

Adams House is worth all the hype.

By ANDREW ADLER AND ANDREW LIN

had heard stories of housing groups what they learn. I will tell you, it lives up to knocking on the doors of anxious the hype. freshmen, telling them they were placed - Best Tradition: Although the whole in one house, gaging their initial reaction, place is steeped in tradition up to its and finally telling them their actual house. As cornices, perhaps the best of all are an anxious freshmen myself, I feared being the Friday Masters’ Teas, with exotic the victim of that ruse. On Housing Day, my themes including Diwali. blocking group was late to hear the verdict - Party Room: Adams Senior House, of our Harvard dwelling futures. Finally without a doubt #turnup we got the knock. No ruse. Just the word, - Biggest Perks: Location, location, loca“Adams.” It was one of the more powerful tion –Adams is easily the most conrushes of adrenaline I have felt at this school veniently placed house there is. and in my life. By some mysterious Harvard - Famous People: Almost too many to luck of the draw I was welcomed into what I mention – from Franklin Delano suspected was the best house. The location, Roosevelt to Henry Kissinger to the history, the beauty, it all hit me in that Buckminister Fuller, almost all the moment. Some fortunate segment of Harvard Rolodexes of the movers and shakfreshmen will be placed there on Thursday. ers of the world have at least one Those like me who had done their research Adams alumni present. on the houses will undoubtedly be ecstatic. - Food: Absolutely delicious, what with Those who haven’t won’t be disappointed in Adams’ stand-alone kitchen. But The Harvard Independent • 03.12.15

good luck getting a spot at the table – Adams is notorious for its rapid crowding and strict d-hall restrictions. Andrew Adler ‘17 (andrewadler@college. harvard.edu) and Andrew Lin ‘17 (andrewlin@college.harvard.edu) are looking forward to Housing Day. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

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