A 12-House Roundup

With randomization of the Houses now four years in the making, first-year housing assignments--to be announced Thursday--may seem painfully arbitrary.

Despite the exaggerated horror stories surrounding being Quadded or becoming the next resident of the Concrete Elite (a.k.a. Mather House), there are assets to all of Harvard's 12 Houses.

The Crimson's House Life reporter, who has spent months combing the campus for the truth about Harvard real estate, sheds some perspective on this week's outcomes--whatever they may be.

Adams House

An unbeatable proximity to the Yard, a recently renovated dining hall and spacious rooms consistently place Adams House atop first-year wish lists. Once known for its artsy, dramatic student population, the House is connected by an extensive system of tunnels that preserve some of the House spirit with the art of residents long since graduated.

Among its accommodations, Adams boasts Claverly Hall, with grand windows, fireplaces and mahogany all around. And several lucky seniors get to live in Senior House, a detached dwelling all their own.

The House's gracious dining space, complemented by a frequently praised staff that takes requests at the grill with a smile, means seating can be tight at times. Residents have been known to "gong" unwanted inter-House diners; 24-year outgoing Masters Robert J. Kiely '60 and Jana M. Kiely have long been staunch supporters of preserving House community.

Cabot House

The dormitory once headed by Radcliffe College President Mary I. Bunting exerts a dominating physical presence in the Quad. The walls of its six buildings and dining hall surround the actual quadrangle, which is home to scores of intramural games in good weather. With four Straus Cup titles under their belts, Cabot residents are fanatics about maintaining the House's intramural strength.

The House boasts a large stock of single rooms. Gracious common rooms abound, and with an underground theater and large JCR (complete with stage), Cabot is an attractive locus for dramatic productions. New masters James H. and Janice Ware bring a scientific bend to the House--the former is academic dean at the school of public health, the latter: an instructor in psychology.

Currier House

Built in 1970 just as the concrete of Mather House was being poured at the opposite end of campus, Currier was the last House that Radcliffe built before coeducation. Located next to the under-appreciated Hilles Library, Currier's four towers scoff at the river House entryway system, offering sociable hallways and a large number of singles. The House's renowned 10-Man suite is infamous for its lively social scene.

Eight-year Masters William A. and Barbara S. Graham lived in John Winthrop House before moving to the Quad; William Graham, professor of the history of religion and Islamic studies, served as senior tutor there in the 1980s. The House's dining hall--designed around a fountain and lush greenery--is spacious and airy, reminiscent of a Marriott hotel. Currier's most notable physical resource, the Fishbowl, is home to theatrical productions and House-wide gatherings.

Dunster House

Made famous by its cameo appearance in "Good Will Hunting," Dunster House's red-capped tower has long been a symbol of old-time Harvard. One House insider says early-bird residents can secure two bed frames at the beginning of the year. This and wood-paneled rooms make Dunster an attractive living space.

House residents extol the virtues of a strong nighttime grill, in addition to the annual Goat Roast (you read right) in the House courtyard and enjoy the warm spring weather. Presiding over Dunster since the late 1980s, Master Karel F. Liem, Bigelow professor of ichthyology, and co-Master Hetty Liem open their home each year to the company of the Dunster House Opera, which requires a place to change costumes between scenes.

Eliot House

With its prominent placement on the corner of JFK Street and Memorial Drive, Eliot House was long known as home to Harvard's elite. Randomization has muted--but not killed--Eliot's high-class style.

Among the House's most treasured events is the annual spring formal--known as the Fete--at which House residents and their guests swing dance under a tent in the courtyard, enjoying chocolate-dipped strawberries and champagne when the live band takes a break. Co-Master Kristine Forsgard's famed cheesecake is a must at House functions, and everyone will soon lunch in extra splendor when the dining hall gets its scheduled facelift.

House residents also plan an annual ice skating charity event called Evening With Champions, which draws such stars as Paul Wylie '91 and Oksana Bayul.

Kirkland House

Conveniently situated between the Malkin Athletic Center and the shops and restaurants on JFK Street, Kirkland was once so full of athletes that there was concern it might violate NCAA regulations. While that may no longer be the case, the House boasts a strong rowing team and is known for its holiday time Incest Fest (draw your own conclusions).

Two House suites--known informally as "The Swamp" and the 10-Man--are famous for their parties. House Master Donald H. Pfister teaches Biology 143, "Biology of the Fungi," and with 17 years under his belt in the House, is now the second longest serving master at Harvard, along with wife Cathy. Kirkland is good friends of the Harvard Foundation's Cultural Rhythms, having hosted a reception for Cultural Artist of the Year Will Smith before this year's production.

Leverett House

Its physical layout dominated by two high-rise towers built in 1960, Leverett House may not be the most elegant of Harvard's 12 Houses. But House residents--known as the Leverett Rabbits--seem to be satisfied. Their House is graced with large rooms, a popular bi-annual '80s Dance and beautiful river views. And there's always McKinlock Hall (Old Leverett) for those afraid of heights.

House Masters Howard and Ann B. Georgi were selected last spring to replace outgoing 17-year masters, the Dowlings. Howard Georgi, known around the House as "chief," is Mallinckrodt professor of physics; Ann Georgi, a.k.a "coach," is a research assistant at Harvard Medical School--and both are committed to improving resources for female scientists who live in Leverett. Meat lovers take note: Howard Georgi is known as a barbecue aficionado.

Lowell House

Lowell House residents pride themselves on their sense of tradition; Thursday tea at the Master's Residence has been a House mainstay since the 1930s. The Lowell House Opera--currently performing the premiere ofYossele Solovey--has been performed each year since 1938.

The House boasts an active Senior Common Room; Faculty affiliates are rewarded with High Table, a dining experience The Crimson once termed "grotesquely ridiculous." Masters Diana L. Eck and Dorothy A. Austin have been widely praised for carrying on the traditions of their 23-year famed predecessors, the Bosserts. Still, Eck has been known to cut loose; at a House karaoke night last semester, the professor of comparative religion and Indian studies belted out "Heartbreak Hotel."

Mather House

Named for former Harvard president Increase Mather, Class of 1656, increase was indeed on the mind of the architect who designed Mather House. Built in 1970, the towering Mather stands in contrast to some of its more traditional next-door neighbors. But an all but guaranteed single room keeps residents happy, despite the distance from the center of campus.

House Masters Sandra A. Naddaff '75 and Leigh G. Hafrey '73 (College sweet-hearts who met while living in the Quad) are dedicated to bringing music to Mather and even hired a music tutor when an entering blocking group showed special interest in jazz. The masters' two young sons are fond of sharing Chickwiches with the big kids in the dining hall and play a mean video game.

Pforzheimer House

Before renovations to Pforzheimer--then known as North--House, former Masters J. Woodland and Hanna M. Hastings joked that their House was at the bottom of every student's list of housing choices. But a multi-million dollar renovation completed in the late 1980s created an airy, two-story dining room and dramatically improved student accommodations. The House hosts the Quad Sound Studios and Harvard-Radcliffe Television headquarters.

Student rooms are spacious, and some even feature kitchenettes. The renovation maintained the House's character as a former Radcliffe dormitory; door hooks hearken back to the days when doors had to be kept ajar when male visitors were present. The House's master is the director of the Museum of Comparative Zoology; don't be surprised if you find yourself in a conversation about Antarctica with the McCarthys.

Quincy House

The former home to Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis '68, Quincy is the biggest House on campus with more than 450 students. Cement-block "New" Qunicy was actually completed in 1959, and red-brick "Old" Quincy dates back only 20 years earlier. You can have a single all three years, but in Old Quincy it'll be a walk-through.

House Master and Dean of the Extension School Michael Shinagel told The Crimson last year that he views his role as "the skipper of a major cruise ship" and has been known to offer sushi at masters' open houses. Co-master Marjorie North teaches students public speaking and drama in informal seminars. The masters' penthouse residence has been cited as one of the most glorious apartments in Boston.

John Winthrop House

John Winthrop House can get lost among its tower-topped neighbors of Lowell and Eliot.

But with a checkerboard floor and elegant wood-paneling, the House dining hall is hard to miss--and gets rave reviews for its round-the-clock schedule--open for drinks and study space throughout the night.

An especially active and enthusiastic sophomore class, many say, has re-energized the House Committee. House event highlights include 'Thropstock, Winthrop's miniature version of Springfest, and Debauchery night, when people have been known to run through the House dining room sans clothing. Look for House Master Paul D. Hanson in the dining hall during the day--he enjoys taking his meals among students.