Students Celebrate Housing Day

Despite Wednesday evening’s enfeebled river run, students displayed the same unfettered exuberance as in previous years when they awoke early the next morning for Housing Day.

Upperclassmen, eager to demonstrate their House spirit, marched into Harvard Yard yesterday adorned in their respective Houses’ shirts, accompanied by an assortment of mascots from the animal kingdom—polar bears, lions, moose, and more. From Pforzheimer House’s sunglass-wearing Quadlings, to Dunster House’s antler-clad supporters, House pride was on display by 8 a.m. Members of Mather House climbed atop the John Harvard statue, while Adams House residents donned suit jackets in preparation for the day’s festivities.

The sound of students rallying around University Hall—the administrative hub of the College and the location of the John Harvard Statue—could be heard throughout the Yard. Students were so loud that Dean of the College Evelynn M. Hammonds said she left her office yesterday morning to go find a quieter location to work.

While upperclassmen waited to receive the envelopes from the administration that contained the names of their new members, a coterie of first-years took to the Yard to see what was going on.

Aaron J. Deutsch ’13 was among the freshmen who left their dorms and made thier way out onto the Yard.

While the anticipation and excitement in the air was palpable, Deutsch would not say what House he hoped to see arrive at his door.

“I am not going to divulge it for fear of jinxing my blocking group,” he said.

According to Harvard Facebook, Deutsch is now a member of Kirkland House.

Envelopes in hand, upperclassmen headed off to inform freshmen of their fates, expecting to be received with excitement.

When one future Quincy House resident did not answer, a member of the greeting party said to the closed door, “You’re a bum.”

After receiving their Housing Day assignments, many freshmen were quick to announce it online by changing their Google chat and Facebook statuses and e-mailing clubs’ mailing lists.

By 11 a.m., Houses had positioned themselves outside Annenberg Hall—blasting music, holding signs, and chanting.

When freshmen made their way inside, they were immediately greeted by a collection of exuberant upperclassmen ready to give out House swag.

Winthrop House gave freshmen cartons of Tropicana orange juice to fit with the theme of their t-shirts, which turn Tropicana into Thropicana.

William R.T. McMillan ’13, who was placed in Quincy House, said he was already looking forward to giving out housing assignments next year.

About to embark on spring break, McMillan said he was glad to finally know his Housing assignment: “It’s been weighing pretty heavily.”

—Staff writer Eric P. Newcomer can be reached at newcomer@fas.harvard.edu.