Class of 2002 Learns Housing Fate

Shouts of joy--and some sobbing--could be heard throughout the Yard yesterday morning as first-years learned their Housing fates.

Results of the Housing lottery--in which students were randomly placed into one of the College's 13 upper-class Houses--were distributed yesterday around 9 a.m. to the self-designated "captains" of student blocking groups.

Results were also posted online.

"I was absolutely delighted and pleased to be in Quincy House," said Okwudiri N. Onyedum '02. "[When I found out], I made whoopee noises."

And Anna M. Falicov '02, who will be living in Lowell House for the next three years, said she "couldn't have asked for anything better."

Others were asking for better.

Daniel A. Rosenthal '02, who was also placed in Lowell said he was "ecstatic" when he heard the news ... noticed that not everyone was so pleased.

"We all went crazy," he said of his blocking group. "But then we saw these three girls burst into tears."

David Modigliani '02, one of Rosenthal's blockmates, said he thinks the group escaped being "Quadded" by participating in a ritual to appease the "Quad. gods." Wednesday night.

"We went from courtyard to courtyard of all the Houses we wanted to be in and sang a song to the tune of 'Piano Man,'" Modigliani said.

"It went, 'We want to live on the River, so show us you're a benevolent god...don't put us up in the Quad,'" he said.

And while Falicov's group did not perform similar rituals, they did camp outin the blocking captain's room all night to waitfor the lottery results.

After the envelopes arrived, the massesconverged on Annenberg Hall, where representativesfrom each House assailed the first-years withcandy and House T-shirts.

Andrea R. Quintana '02 said she was initiallyambivalent about being placed in Quincy butchanged her mind once she met some enthusiasticcurrent Quincy residents at lunch.

"[Our blocking group] kind of knew we'd be in aRiver house because someone had a medical excuse,so we were all sort of like, 'Okay, whatever,"'she said.

But if she entered Annenberg feelingindifferent, Quintana said, "I walked out like,'Yeah, Quincy!'"

Even some who were biting their nails not to besent up Garden Street seem to have reconciled thelottery outcome.

James A. Colbert '02 said current Currier Houseresidents have made him more excited aboutspending sophomore year in the Quad.

And others said there's no use dwelling on whatcould have been.

Susanna M. Flug '02 said that since thismorning, she has grown used to the idea of livingin Currier next year.

"I don't want to be separated from my friends,"she said, "but you can be really sad about it, oryou could just say 'Oh well.' Most people wouldrather focus on the positives."

Those positives, according to Abby L. Schlatter'02, another future Currier resident, include asense of community and House spirit.

"I kind of like the idea of the Quad," shesaid.

And while House spirit and a tight-knitcommunity are the most significant factors to somefirst-years, others said they are most excited byHouse perks like squash courts, music practicerooms and House grills.

And Foosball.

"It's all about the Foosball," said Fredrik M.Edenius '02, who said he is already excited aboutthe prospect of playing his favorite game inQuincy next year. "Foosball just excites me. I'measily amused.

After the envelopes arrived, the massesconverged on Annenberg Hall, where representativesfrom each House assailed the first-years withcandy and House T-shirts.

Andrea R. Quintana '02 said she was initiallyambivalent about being placed in Quincy butchanged her mind once she met some enthusiasticcurrent Quincy residents at lunch.

"[Our blocking group] kind of knew we'd be in aRiver house because someone had a medical excuse,so we were all sort of like, 'Okay, whatever,"'she said.

But if she entered Annenberg feelingindifferent, Quintana said, "I walked out like,'Yeah, Quincy!'"

Even some who were biting their nails not to besent up Garden Street seem to have reconciled thelottery outcome.

James A. Colbert '02 said current Currier Houseresidents have made him more excited aboutspending sophomore year in the Quad.

And others said there's no use dwelling on whatcould have been.

Susanna M. Flug '02 said that since thismorning, she has grown used to the idea of livingin Currier next year.

"I don't want to be separated from my friends,"she said, "but you can be really sad about it, oryou could just say 'Oh well.' Most people wouldrather focus on the positives."

Those positives, according to Abby L. Schlatter'02, another future Currier resident, include asense of community and House spirit.

"I kind of like the idea of the Quad," shesaid.

And while House spirit and a tight-knitcommunity are the most significant factors to somefirst-years, others said they are most excited byHouse perks like squash courts, music practicerooms and House grills.

And Foosball.

"It's all about the Foosball," said Fredrik M.Edenius '02, who said he is already excited aboutthe prospect of playing his favorite game inQuincy next year. "Foosball just excites me. I'measily amused.