The Harvard Crimson - Housing Market

Housing Market

STAFF

BLOG CHAIRS

Arezoo Ghazagh ’26

Sneha M. Yelamanchili ’26

DESIGN CHAIRS

Catherine H. Feng ’27

Xinyi C. Zhang ’27

MULTI CHAIRS

Jina H. Choe ’26

Briana Howard Pagán ’26

ASSOCIATE MANAGING EDITORS

Sally E. Edwards ’26

Cam E. Kettles ’26

STAFF WRITERS

Daisy S. Gonzalez ’27

Amory C. Gordon ’27

Melissa C. Suquisupa ’27

Shawn A. Boehmer ’28

Victoria Chen ’28

Cassidy M. Cheng ’28

Bianca M. Egan ’28

Virgil P. Guo ’28

Charlotte Harris ’28

Emilie P. Mendoza ’28

Christian Serrano ’28

DESIGN EDITORS

Laurinne Jamie P. Eugenio ’26

Sophia H. Kim ’27

Saketh Sundar ’27

Victoria Chen ’28

MANAGING EDITOR

Tilly R. Robinson ’26

PRESIDENT

McKenna E. McKrell ’26

HOUSING DAY 2025

HOUSE 4

Semper Cor — always heart, always fish

Fortes Fortuna Adiuvat — pfortune pfavors the brave polar bear PFORZHEIMER HOUSE 8

HOUSE 6

Timete Arborem — fear the tree, love the tree

Mihi Parta Tueri — I will fight for what is mine (meese) DUNSTER HOUSE

FROM THE EDITORS

To our befloved readers, Hello, and welcome to Flyby’s 2025 Housing Market feature — the first ever to appear in print! We are honored to be able to honor the beauty that is Harvard College’s housing system: the community, the quirks, and everything else that transforms a handful of buildings scattered across campus into our second homes.

Young Hares — let the bunnies roam free

It’s a Good House — more singles...

Floreat Domus de Eliot — long live the domus

HOUSE

Facia Non Verba — deeds, not words; obsession, not interest

This feature is your whirlwind introduction to each of the Houses. Whether you are hours out from River Run Housing Day Eve or have long been a graduate, we promise that there is something in this feature for you! If you’re a rising sophomore, congratulations; we hope that you have had luck in the housing lottery and that you are overjoyed to join your wonderful new residential community (but if not, be careful — these pages won’t withstand your tears). If you’re an upperclassman reading this feature, thank you for being the foundation of all that these pieces showcase — whether it be silly traditions, lingo, or even the simple and powerful fact of your love for your House, your community. It is you who truly make each House a home. Writing Housing Market, our biggest feature of the year, is no easy feat, but it is your enthusiasm for House life (and our lovely junior reporters) that has made the following 24 pages possible.

The eyes of all people are on us — but not like they were in Wigg

Alteri Seculo — for future generations, for the squirrels

BUSINESS MANAGAER

Jack D. Jassy ’26

Occasionem Cognosce — recognize opportunity, ring the bells

The People’s House — the penguins’ house

Housing Day is a time for transformation and for connection. It is a time for tears — of joy, of ecstasy, and of disappointment. It is a time for laughter and for raucous screams, for banging on doors and for drawing your fate out of an envelope. May the Housing Gods — or the Harvard College Housing Office — always be in your corner.

Flove always, AG & SMY

JULIAN J. GIORDANO — CRIMSON PHOTOGRAPHER

Graphic by Victoria Chen

Designed by Victoria Chen

sometimes with loathing, known as “the Quad”), Cabot House proudly wears its heart on its sleeve.

Welcome to Cabot House!

Not to be confused with the beloved library or butter brand, this House is truly at the core of the Quad, where fish are family and friends (but never food). Living up to their motto of Semper Cor, Cabot House is sure to have your heart this housing season!

Heart-Eyed House

“Cabot House’s motto is Semper Cor, which translates to ‘always heart,’ and I think that’s embodied in everything about Cabot,” says House Committee (HoCo) co-chair Sanjna N. Rajagopalan ’26. One of the three upperclassman Houses in the Radcliffe Quadrangle (lovingly, and

It houses around 400 residents, or Cabotians, including notable alumni like Ketanji Brown Jackson ‘92, Rivers Cuomo ‘06, and Helen Keller, class of 1904 (Supreme Court and Weezer? Talk about range). Cabot House overlooks the Quad Lawn, seeing it through its summers of frisbee games and winters of snowball fights and igloos, with the Student Organization Center at Hilles right next door.

Cabot’s emphasis on community is highlighted even in its crest, which contains three codfish — the House’s mascot.

“This is a personal interpretation: it’s the Quad. We are family, and we invite other people to also be fish with us. To join the fish family.” said HoCo co-chair Julia Alvarenga ’26, when asked about the meaning of the crest. Rajagopalan added,

As highlighted by its motto, commu -

nity is key to life in Cabot. Throughout the year, Cabot hosts many events, from Semper Corpse, their Halloween themed movie night on the Quad Lawn, to Festivus, their annual winter holiday party

“Three musketeers. Three fishketeers.”

School of Fish

By EMILIE P. MENDOZA CRIMSON STAFF WRITER

VICTORIA CHEN — CRIMSON DESIGNER

Cabot House’s theatre, the site of the Cabot House musical. JOEY HUANG — CRIMSON PHOTOGRAPHER

that features food, a burning of the year’s grievances, roasts, and even feats of strength. “People will clear their schedules for this and they’ll roast each other throughout the night,” says Rajagopalan.

Aside from their biggest events, though, Cabot’s sense of community is present year-round through smaller traditions. For instance, they host monthly ‘Great Cabot Bake Offs’ (as featured on Instagram) where sweet treats are elevated by a healthy dose of competition and a cozy kitchen. Other spur of the moment events also highlight Cabot’s community. “We had an aquarium… and one of our fishes died, so we had a fish funeral and everybody came in tuxes and black umbrellas and we ate sushi. It was awesome,” recounts Rajagopalan.

Above all, though, the community in Cabot is present in its everyday life. Alvarenga describes daily life in Cabot House as full of meaningful interactions with all of her fellow Cabotions, “From the moment I wake up to the moment I go to sleep, I have interactions with people… they’re meaningful interactions, you know, in the bathroom or in the dining hall. It doesn’t matter with who, whether it’s…with the students, with the deans, with the dining hall staff, you will always find somebody to talk to.”

House Spirit(s)

Community is clearly at the heart of everything Cabot, and their House spirit definitely does not disappoint either. In intramural sports, Cabot has been playing the long game through their strate -

gy of slowly rising the ranks. Rajagopalan described the strategy: “So we have this 12-year plan, this thing we joke about a lot because we were last. And we like to joke about it all in good spirit. But this year we’re doing, like, shockingly well, like six years ahead of our 12-year plan. We’re sixth right now, last I checked.” So, for you future Cabot sophomores looking to be involved in IMs, this is your chance to be part of an underdog story like no other!

Cabot’s House spirit is more vocal than any other House’s on Housing Day. “People don’t rally around their House, around their community, the way they do in the Quad,” says Rajagopalan, discussing the talent that goes into their Housing Day video. “Really, our only competition is Currier. You know, that’s where it’s at.”

But wait! Cabot is also home to literal spirits, most notably the ghost of Margaret Coleman Waites. Margaret haunts the infamous library suite of Cabot House (the library she donated to Radcliffe College) and has her own email address, from which she makes her presence known through periodic communication to current residents. Margaret isn’t the only spirit roaming the halls; past Cabotians are remembered throughout Cabot, with names written on the walls of the House’s tunnels, and the House gym is even named after a recent alumnus (the ‘Nik MAC’, named after Nikolas Kirk ’23, who, legend has it, only used it once).

Life Underwater

Enough about the dead. You want to know about living in Cabot, don’t you?

Living arrangements in Cabot House vary widely, from hallway singles to massive suites of up to 6 people. Notably, sophomores in Cabot are able to get their own hallway singles, be it in the main buildings of the House or in Cronkhite Center, Cabot’s overflow housing. And, if the slightly longer walk from the Yard has you down, you’ll be happy to know almost every part of Cabot is connected by underground tunnels, with the only exceptions being the two ‘islands,’ Bertram Hall and Eliot Hall.

Once they begin life as a fish, Cabot residents have access to all sorts of amenities including the Aquarium, a dance studio, a theater, the biggest gym in the Quad, a pottery studio, beautiful common rooms, a wellness room, and a n underwater collaborative room. In short, the House truly has everything you could ever need. And for those looking to get

out of the Harvard bubble, Porter Square is just a short walk from the Quad, offering a whole new side of Cambridge to explore.

Even the dining hall upholds the charm of life in Cabot, in spite of its reputation as aesthetically un-pleasing. “People who are not part of Cabot will be like, oh, it looks like a retirement home. And you know what? So what? Like, it looks like a living room in the best way, that you feel comfortable walking around in your pajamas,” says Rajagopalan.

To The Newbies...

Finally, to the newest members of Cabot House, Alvarenga has a few words: “It’s

like a coffee cup. You look at it at first, you will look, you might look at your letter and think, ‘Oh no, I’m Quadded. I will have to take the shuttle, I have to walk.’ It’s a bitter coffee. However, you can add sugar, you can add strawberry syrup, you can add vanilla, you can add whipped cream on top. And I would say that’s the Cabot experience. You make your own experience…it’s up to you. You can take the bitter coffee, or you can turn it into a frappuccino, a strawberry frappuccino with the strawberry on top and chocolate covered and sprinkles and whipped cream and chocolate sauce.”

Semper Cabot — and semper flyby!

emilie.mendoza@thecrimson.com

VICTORIA CHEN — CRIMSON DESIGNER

The cherished and much frequented Cabot Cafe. MARK KELSEY — CRIMSON PHOTOGRAPHER

The Cabot Living Room, found in Cabot House’s E entry. ALLISON G. LEE — CRIMSON PHOTOGRAPHER

By SNEHA M. YELAMANCHILI CRIMSON STAFF WRITER

You’re hoping for life in your dream House, but we’re dreaming of life in the Tree House. Home to perhaps the most infamous party suite and one of the most beloved dhalls on campus — even Bill Gates stopped by — Currier House stands proudly right in front of the Quad shuttle stop. Are you ready to climb up into the canopy?

Rooted Community

If you’re lucky enough to be sorted into Currier, you’ll find a community as mighty as an oak, with roots just as intertwined as the tree on the House’s shield. Currierites, as residents of the House are affectionately dubbed, show up in full force for House

events big and small. IMs? They’re there. Currier karaoke (or should we say, Currioke) night? They’re there. In the dhall for the House Committe’s (HoCo’s) regular but randomly scheduled food drops? They’re there. (Well duh; even as a River resident, I would pull up for some midnight fast food.) Housing Day video filming, months in advance of Housing Day itself? They’re there, and they’re in a tree costume.

Perhaps more important than Currierites’ presence itself is the energy that residents of the Tree House bring to their interactions with others in the community. Currier HoCo chair Giovanni S. Gomez ’27 describes the community as immediately warm and welcoming: “I remember first meeting Chubi [Chibuikem C. Uche ’24] and Tolu [Ademola ’27] and just having those immediate, kind of funny quips with them and having those conversations where it’s just like, these guys, like, talk to you.” So, we

promise, the members of the Currier House community are very chill, and in it, you’ll find people that will stop to talk to you instead of asking, “How are you?” and running away before you can answer.

With the House mailing list, Currierwire, and a separate students-only mailing list, Currier Underground, both active, you will have no shortage of opportunities to interact with the people who make Cur-

VICTORIA CHEN — CRIMSON DESIGNER

The Fishbowl, a treasured Currier House common space. JOEY HUANG — CRIMSON PHOTOGRAPHER

rier House the coziest tree hollow north of the Charles River. Not all of these people are students, though. Some recent graduates, including Uche, remain active in House life as House aides. Meanwhile, tutors are pillars of the House community, hosting small study breaks for Currierites to relax alongside their neighbors while munching on treats like hot chocolate and cookies.

At this point, you might be thinking that Currier couldn’t possibly get more wholesome, but that’s where you’re wrong. Gomez and his HoCo co-chair Natalie T. Weiner ’26 gushed about Bill Oliverio, the Currier Securitas guard. “This morning, I was sitting at breakfast, and he went and sat down with someone who was sitting alone… He just really cares about all of us,” Weiner said. “And so, we love Bill so much.” This sentiment is reciprocated; when Oliverio kept me entertained as I waited for the Quad shuttle, he noted that, of all the Houses he has been a security guard for, Currier was his favorite.

Gomez and Weiner count meeting (and growing to love) Oliverio as a Currier tradition, but this (delightful) experience is not the only event that newly minted trees can anticipate. Currier residents are also invited to an open house held by their Faculty Deans Latanya A. Sweeney and Sylvia I. Barrett, where they’ll find not only amazing food but also Segways. Yes, you read that right; whenever you drop by an open house at Currier, you’ll get to roleplay as an athlete as you zoom around in between delicious bites.

Other consistent House events include themed steins, held once every two weeks, and intramurals, in which Currier residents are loud and proud participants. On an annual basis, Currier students can also look

forward to rounds of White Elephant with gifts — including Alexas! — funded by their Faculty Deans; a very fancy dinner in the fall known as the Audrey Bruce Currier Dinner, in honor of the House’s namesake, a member of the Class of 1965; and, in the past two years, a ski trip. Other seasonal events include an Easter egg hunt and Currier’s Heaven and Hell party, a Halloween staple that invariably draws crowds from as far as Mather to dance the night away. Currier’s schedule is more packed than the average Harvard student’s… which is saying a lot.

Life’s Better in the Treehouse

Currier House proper consists of four towers — Bingham, Daniels, Gilbert, and Tuchman — each named for a famous alum… though the Yo-Yo Ma tower, for the beloved ‘76 alum, is curiously absent (someone should get on that). Some students might be placed in overflow housing in Cronkhite, eleven minutes from the House.

While Cronkhite consists entirely of singles, the style of dorm rooms within Currier proper varies between the towers. Most sophomores will find themselves nested in Daniels, where they can expect to be placed in spacious double and singles connected by a hallway-like room with a sink.

Though sophomore housing in Currier is already amazing, you’re sure to experience an upgrade after you’ve lived in Currier for a semester or two. Both Gomez and Weiner were able to move to a new room after their first semester in Currier, Gomez from a double to the connected single and Weiner from Cronkhite to Currier proper; Currier’s willingness to move students into more desirable housing options as people leave to study abroad or graduate off-cycle is a unique — and amazing — aspect of Currier’s housing system. Even if you’re not up to a second move-in during your sophomore year, luxurious singles and a few suites are par for the course for upperclassmen in the House. Outside of Daniels, bathrooms are connected to students’ dorms even outside of suites, as pairs of singles share a Jack-and-Jill-style bathroom.

Unfortunately, Currier offers little variety in its available suites, featuring mainly suites of four with few options for larger groups apart from the Ten-Man. (So, sorry, not sorry — you’ll have to find some way to cope with living all of two minutes away from your blockmates.) While the limited range of suite types can restrict students that would like a traditional suite-style dorm, the suites themselves are both gorgeous and spacious. The suites at the top of the towers are known as solarium suites for

their floor-to-ceiling windows and their residents’ exclusive access to a large, floor-wide common room with ridiculously nice views.

Hanging in the Canopy

Many of Currier’s numerous common spaces can be found on the Lower Main level (the same floor as the dhall) and are consequently accessible from any of the four towers in Currier proper. The towers’ connection to each other and to this shared common space has made the Currier community even more tight-knit.

Currier’s common spaces are incredibly diverse, including a gym, a dance studio, a reading room, a makerspace, and a meditation room. (It also has upwards of 50 kitchens…) Currier also has many, many general purpose spaces, with common rooms — usually with a kitchen and a TV — on each level of each tower, an arcade, and conference-style rooms known as the Poker Room and the Beehive located near the dhall. Other common spaces include the Fishbowl, an open area that most students pass through on their way to the dhall or their rooms, and the Mousehole, a recessed area off of the Fishbowl that features comfy seating, a TV, and a piano.

Fittingly, the most beloved Currier common space is the dhall. Nicole A. Calderon ’25 had this to say about the dhall: “People are there at one, two, three in the morning, always telling stories, always doing something.” Not all of the people you’ll see in the dhall in these wee hours of the night will be Currierites; people are

willing to trek in to find some good food and even better company in the space that Weiner calls “the soul of the House.”

With spacious housing, amazing amenities, and a community that really, truly (treely?) cares, Currier House somehow manages to be even better than its Housing Day videos make it seem — and that’s a very high bar. If you’re lucky enough to have been placed in Currier, welcome home.

sneha.yelamanchili@thecrimson.com

VICTORIA CHEN — CRIMSON DESIGNER

The fountain in Currier’s dining hall. IULIANNA C. TARITSA — CRIMSON PHOTOGRAPHER

A senior’s bedroom in one of the Gilbert Tower solarium suites.

EMILY L. DING — CRIMSON PHOTOGRAPHER

original name of “North House.” The House got a glow-up in 1995, thanks to benefactors

Welcome to Pforzheimer House, where the polar bears roam and the “pf” puns never end! A little farther from the Yard?

Sure. But with spacious suites, the rolling green Quad Lawn, and a five-minute shuttle ride to your classes, we wouldn’t have it any other way. So embrace the Quad life and get ready for some of the best years of your Harvard experience — because in Pfoho, you’re always pfamily!

We Are Pfamily!

Located in the Radcliffe Quadrangle, Pfoho is situated at the northernmost corner of Harvard’s campus — which explains its

Carl Jr. ‘28 and Carol Pforzheimer ‘31, and “NoHo” became “Pfoho.” Pfoho has since been the home base for the beautiful community that is seen in the House today, and the House’s sense of community is NoHo joke. One central part of Pfoho’s identity is its residents’ skill in the art of puns, as generation after generation of Pfoho students join in on the playful tradition of adding a “pf” to everyday words. House Committee co-chair Aidan J. Bowers ’26, an Editor-at-Large of The Crimson’s Art Board, noted, “Pf-, you know, is like a huge part of our House,” manifesting through the names of many of the main attractions of the House, such as the “spfa” and “pfarcade.”

Not pfeeling convinced yet? Beyond having their own lingo, Pfoho makes sure to keep their community alive through a really full social calendar which residents pride

themselves on. One of the House’s largest traditions, Hygge, invites students to enjoy donuts and cider in the Comstock Living Room, one of the House’s common areas. The name of the event directly translates to “comfortable” in Danish. A space where you’re encouraged to sit back and relax amidst the chaos that we call life at Harvard? Sign us up (no actually, we need it)! If smaller events are more your vibe, Pfoho still has you covered. The House offers steins as many others do, with Bowers shouting out the “failed valenstein” stein — an event catered towards those without luck on Valentine’s Day — as a notable one. Specific to Pfoho, though, is the House’s pfood drops. These “iconic” events, as Bowers describes, are just as they sound; the House will occasionally cater food randomly during the week to provide a midnight snack for its residents. In bringing people together in the dhall, this event specifically has become

By AREZOO GHAZAGH AND VIRGIL J. GUO CRIMSON STAFF WRITERS

VICTORIA CHEN — CRIMSON DESIGNER

VICTORIA CHEN — CRIMSON DESIGNER

“a really big hallmark of Pfoho culture” in Bowers’ eyes. If you find yourself needing a breath of fresh air, when the weather brightens up, the House moves to host events such as s’more making on its terrace, a perfect scenic spot which overlooks the entire Quad Lawn.

Another integral feature of Pfoho’s community are the House’s tutors and Faculty Deans, who can commonly be seen eating with students and passing throughout the House exchanging greetings. Bowers recounts that after he transferred from Mather to Pfoho (yes, people do transfer from the River to the Quad), the Faculty Deans recognized him before he even had to introduce himself as a new resident of the House. Being “directly welcomed into the community,” as Bowers describes it, truly affirmed the desires of Pfaculty to support and care for their students, whether they are new or old to the community.

Your New Pfohome

While Pfoho’s community might make it seem like students are always outside of their rooms, the House’s more-than-ideal living situation actually makes it hard to leave them. There are three main living setups that Pfoho is known for: their special suite, duplexes, and dingles. Pfoho’s highly sought after suite is the Bell Tower suite,

which resides directly under the bell tower in Moors Hall. With a spacious common room, the space is an iconic party spot within the House, and is even where Mark Zuckerberg met his wife, Priscilla. Beyond the Bell Tower suite, duplexes (rooms with two stories) can be commonly found throughout the three main halls of the House: Moors, Comstock, and Holmes. Double the number of floors, double the fun! Dingles, the last — but certainly not the least — notable part of Pfoho’s housing, refers to spaces that are assigned as singles but were originally meant to be doubles.

What can rising sopfomores expect, you might be wondering? Pfnewbies are likely to be placed into conjoined singles, many of which are triples, in which they’ll dwell in one of multiple singles that are connected to a hallway, but also have doors that connect between them internally. If you love being social but hate waking up to your roommate’s alarm, then Pfoho is for you!

Pfamenities

Just when you think that it can’t possibly get better, Pfoho raises the bar once again when it comes to its array of amenities. Like most Houses, Pfoho is equipped with the typical House amenities of a gym, music practice rooms, and a variety of large common rooms for residents to share. Looking for

more? No need to worry — whatever your desire is, Pfoho has the answer. In need of a brain break in the form of games? Pfoho boasts a vibrant arcade, known within the House as the “pfarcade,” which hosts a variety of games for students to enjoy including air hockey. Want a place where you can sit and do nothing without judgement (yes, looking at you)? Another notable feature of the House that is not seen elsewhere is the spfa, which is equipped with luxurious lounge chairs to help you decompress and procrastinate in style. While this all is convincing on its own, Bowers revealed that the House’s Faculty Deans “just did a House refresh” of many of the House’s rooms. A new cafe study space, as well as a serenity space, are in the works, as well as a revamped Senior Common Room. Seems like a great time to be a rising sopfomore!

Back and Pforth

Already obsessed and looking for more? We can’t blame you — here are some of the answers to your burning Pfoho questions

If you had to describe your House in three words, which three would they be?

AJB: Quirky, pfun, pfriendly.

What side of TikTok do you think that

HOUSING DAY 2025

Pfoho would be on?

AJB: I feel like Pfoho would be the TikToks where it’s like a true crime thing but over someone baking cookies, and there’s a Subway Surfers reel beneath it.

What do you think is the biggest misconception about Pfoho?

AJB: That we’re the underdog of the Quad. I feel like we’re overlooked… I think Pfoho has a lot of incredible things in the Quad. We’re not to be overshadowed.

What is one thing that you want firstyears to know about your House?

AJB: We’re an incredibly lively and welcoming community. There’s lots to do, always, and it’s going to be a pfabulous, with a pf, time!

There you have it! No matter how you go about it, life in Pfoho is nothing short of pfantastic. Pfoho’s tight-knit community thrives on quirky traditions, spontaneous fun, and an unbeatable spirit that makes the Quad truly feel like home. Look out for polar bears at your door this Housing Day!

arezoo.ghazagh@thecrimson.com

virgil.guo@thecrimson.com

A spacious dorm enjoyed by a lucky upperclassman student in Pforzheimer House. JOEY HUANG — CRIMSON PHOTOGRAPHER

One of the many lovely and recently refreshed common spaces open to Pfoho students. JOEY HUANG — CRIMSON PHOTOGRAPHER

Welcome to D-Haus! Located along the Charles River and Weeks Bridge, Dunster House and its signature red brick towers create the stunning riverside silhouette you see in Harvard’s postcards. But beyond its exterior, once you get to know Dunster on the inside, it’s difficult not to fall in love with it from top to bottom — from its fresh renovations (think: gorgeous dining hall, gorgeous suites, gorgeous everything!) to the charming Dunsterites (preferably known as meese) who carry on the quirky traditions that make the House feel like home.

Moosing Around

You can’t talk about Dunster House with-

out first mentioning their esteemed mascot: the moose! Freshman (freshmeese) who win the housing lottery can expect to be welcomed in as a member of the ‘meese’ community, joined by notable alumni including former Vice President Al Gore ‘69 and actor Tommy Lee Jones ‘69. Today, it’s composed of about 400 undergraduate students, making it the medium-sized House with the largest moose pun fanbase. From the weekly Mooseletter (newsletter) sent by the Resident Dean to the Moose Droppings House mailing list, this mascot will grow to have a special place in your heart (and scattered — get it? — throughout your inbox)! Funnily enough, as House Committee (HoCo) chair Ellie P. Cassidy ’27 points out, “Meese may not be grammatically a thing, but it is a thing in these walls. Don’t bring your dictionary.”

Here at D-Haus (what the locals call Dunster House), the community knows how to moose around and have a good time — and

it doesn’t stop with the puns you’ll grow to know by heart. HoCo chair Spencer J. Lee ’27 spoke more about Dunster’s vibrant traditions, socials, and community, naming the House’s spring formal and Goat Roast as absolute go-to events you won’t want to miss. The latter used to involve an actual goat being roasted in the courtyard for everyone to see (the lore goes crazy). Due to sanitary reasons and community pushback, however, the event has undergone an endearing rebrand, now featuring an adorable goat petting zoo, bounce houses, and a special meal for Dunsterites. “It’s now a G.O.A.T. party,” Cassidy remarked, “Greatest Of All Time party.” D-Haus? More like D-Place to be.

Additionally, Dunster is known for its rich arts-oriented scene thanks to its lineage of great Visual Art and Music tutors! If you weren’t able to snag tickets to see your favorite artist this year, no need to

fret. Dunster’s library doubles as a stage for special concerts hosted year-round, where meese have the chance to present musical (moose-ical) performances, solo recitals, and poetry readings! In the wintertime, you can look forward to the annual Messiah Sing, a choral performance set in the dining hall and sung by everyone — both professionals and the everyday Dunsterite alike. You’ll also be joined by the Harvard Bach Society Orchestra as well as guest conductor Edward E. Jones, music director at Memorial Church. With delectable treats including eggnog, hot chocolate, and an assortment of snacks, everything about this event is perfect for the holiday season — and for cheering up when seasonal depression might have you feeling moose-rable!

Better yet, incoming sophomores are introduced to Dunster’s traditions before the school year even begins by joining the

By CHRISTIAN SERRANO CRIMSON STAFF WRITER

VICTORIA CHEN — CRIMSON DESIGNER

Faculty Deans for an exciting cruise in Boston Harbor. “Everyone is loaded up on Shirley Temple,” Cassidy said, as she recalled fun memories of playing board games with friends under the backdrop of a gorgeous waterfront sunset. Take it from Cassidy when she says that the deans sure “know their way around the sophomore’s heart!” In general, meese enjoy House life so much that they leave glowing reviews, boasting one of the highest survey participation rates among all the 12 Houses. Since Dunster has a “pretty big budget” according to Lee, this means you’ll be rewarded by Tutors who dutifully listen to your feedback and often splurge on community-requested events such as sushi nights. Your wish is Dunster’s command!

Postcard Living

As you wander through Dunster’s winding hallways to get to your dorm, it won’t take long before you ask yourself: Is this D-Haus or D-Hotel? Sophomores in Dunster can usually expect to get put into overflow housing in DeWolfe, which is a short walk away from the main Dunster courtyard but has interiors equally as wonderful as the House proper. Featuring spacious rooms, an en suite bathroom, and its very own kitchen, it’s no surprise that Cassidy actually “wanted DeWolfe” and is personally a “big fan.”

Once you grow from a fledgling calf to a true moose, your options only get better! Juniors and seniors participate in a classic lottery (we’re talking a choosinga-little-marble-with-a-number-out-ofa-box kind of lottery) to pick from housing options ranging from hallway singles

all the way up to an eight-man (eightmoose?) suite. In fact, some suites — like the one Aaron J. Kang ’25 calls home — are two stories! The first floor of this duplex boasts spacious common rooms perfect for parties, socials, lounging, and studying — while the second floor is where you’ll find hallway singles and two (two!) bathrooms. If you’re lucky, the best view at Dunster might even be right outside your shower! Kang calls the one in his suite “the famous window,” where you can see a “beautiful, sweeping view of the river” and Weeks Bridge.

Living in the House proper also means that you won’t need to go outside for anything. From dining to laundry, everything you need is in one building! Your morning routine just got a whole lot better, whether you live for the window of your aesthetic getready-with-me dreams or for the comfort of getting to walk to the dining hall in your PJs without needing to brave the cold. This applies to incoming meese as well — with the exceptionally large class of 2025 graduating this year, more space in the House proper will be available to sophomores. DeWolfed or not — meese can expect to live in luxury!

House of Firsts

Not only was Dunster named after Harvard’s first president Henry Dunster, class of 1634, but it was also the first of Harvard’s 12 Houses to undergo renovations in 2015! Needless to say, Dunster is a trendsetter (with big moose tracks to follow in). From its dark wood dining hall adorned with elegant chandeliers to its Hogwarts-esque library that enjoys an immaculate view of the courtyard, magic radiates from every corner of Dunster’s walls. You’ll find Pinterest-worthy views everywhere, as the House was “built in a way to maximize light,” according to Cassidy. While this means you might have to take “seven lefts and four rights to get anywhere” as she puts it, the twists and turns pay off once golden hour comes around and the entire House is bathed in sunlight, perfectly complementing the red and gold colorway seen on every Dunster flag and crest. Speaking of things that are red and gold, both HoCo chairs strongly agree that if Dunster were to be a Harry Potter house, it would undoubtedly be Gryffindor. Not only do they share the same colors, but both are home to our favorite main characters (we’re talking to you, freshmeese)!

While Dunster might have endless nooks and crannies to get lost in, that’s simply because there are endless amenities for residents to enjoy. You’ll find something new

with each adventure, including facilities such as an art room, a squash court, a state-of-the-art gym, four seminar rooms, brand new laundry machines, and even a hand-washing station located right inside the dining hall! “No other dining hall does that,” Lee said. “I brought my parents here and they were like, ‘Hmm, this is a top House — just because of that!” Dunster brings to you an underrated amenity we sometimes forget about: the luxury of being able to easily impress your parents. Have we mentioned late dinners ending at 8:30 p.m? Impressing your friends will be easy too.

Dunster is also the only House in the River East neighborhood to have a student-run Grille, where you can purchase late-night bites and mingle with other students in the lounge until 1 a.m. on most days. If you don’t know what to try first, Lee recommends the dairy slam set with a cheese chicken quesa-

dilla and an Oreo milkshake. The best part? You can purchase it using your semester’s allotment of BoardPlus! Stick around long enough, and you may even witness the many screenings hosted in the Grille area on its enormous flatscreen TV. (One of the most recent screenings was a community-wide Super Bowl watch party.) Perhaps Cassidy puts it best: “What isn’t an amenity here?” At the end of the day, if there’s one thing the HoCo chairs want to emphasize, it’s that they don’t gatekeep. “Even if you don’t get Dunster, you’re always welcome,” said Cassidy. The community of Dunster — in all its beautiful, vibrant, moose-tastic glory — has a place for anyone who wants to be a meese in spirit. Look out for Dunster at your door this Housing Day season!

christian.serrano@thecrimson.com

VICTORIA CHEN — CRIMSON DESIGNER

Dunster House’s gorgeous dining hall. JULIAN J. GIORDANO — CRIMSON PHOTOGRAPHER

The common room in a senior’s duplex suite. CHRISTIAN SERRANO — CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

THE HARVARD CRIMSON

By BIANCA M.

Studies show that 100 percent of first-years at Harvard feel anxious on Housing Day — but among those who hop into Leverett House, the number drops to zero. The stats don’t lie, and neither does this article! Read ahead to discover why becoming a bunny could be the best thing to happen to you, and learn everything you need to know about all things Leverett House!

If you’re a fan of floor-to-ceiling windows and a vibrant House community, getting housed in Leverett will be like winning the actual lottery. Leverett (Lev for short) is a great place for rabbit lovers, people who look good in green, and anyone who wants to be associated with National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman ’20, politician Pete Buttigieg ’04, and SNL’s Colin Jost ’04. Home to around 475 “bunnies,” Leverett has histor-

ically been one of Harvard’s largest Houses — proof that bigger really is better.

Live Laugh Lev

The best part of living in Lev? The community, hands down. For Leverett, lots of people means lots of friendly faces. Considered a bubbly and wholesome House, Leverett is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and inviting community for everyone (so get excited).

Every Thursday, Lev House Committee (HoCo) hosts weekly steins in the Rabbit Hole, with the Faculty Deans, Dan Deschler and Eileen Reynolds ‘86, personally swiping students into the preceding Community Night dinner to create a welcoming atmosphere. Themes for the Steins have ranged from “Franken-steins” to “Valen-steins.” HoCo cochair Mira H. Jiang ’26 claims that Lev is the only House to host weekly steins, as they are committed to fostering a strong community within their large group of residents.

Yet another incredible feature of living in Lev is getting to know Deschler and Reynolds, who HoCo co-chair Hayden S. Graham ’26 identifies as “the most incredible and inspiring people that you would meet.” Graham recalled a memorable moment when he and his former HoCo co-chair were up late hiding eggs for their Easter celebration and saw Deschler, who is a surgeon at Mass Eye and Ear, up at 3 a.m. prepping for work. You’ll either find this aspirational or interpret it as a harrowing sign that maybe being pre-med is not for you.

Lev isn’t shy about welcoming you, and it certainly has no problem showing affection. The dhall is the site of one of Lev’s best celebrations, the Lev Love Feast, which Graham says is “probably the highlight of the year.” Lev spares no effort in completely decking out the room, decorating the dhall with everything from balloon arches to mini heart-shaped cacti for each student. In their commitment to spreading Lev love, this year, HoCo had ‘Leventines,’ where Leverett students wrote

notes to one another and had them delivered to their dorms for Valentine’s Day.

Your Levstyle

When we say Leverett is big, we mean it — it’s super spacious! Leverett is composed of McKinlock Hall and the F and G Towers, where you will have plenty of room, regardless of the layout of your future home base. Incoming sophomores should feel optimistic about their chances of living in solitary bliss (a single) or being the go-to hangout room (doubles, plus a common room and ensuite bathroom). Graham says that even if students don’t get a single as sophomores, they will definitely “have the most ginormous common room.” These “ginormous common rooms” are Flyby-verified, as we saw first hand not just the size but also the versatility of Leverett rooms. With great natural lighting and walls with plenty of space for decor, you can make your room into the burrow of your dreams, whether that’s a post-

SOPHIA H. KIM — CRIMSON DESIGNER

EGAN CRIMSON STAFF WRITER

VICTORIA CHEN — CRIMSON DESIGNER

modern minimalist refuge or a greenhouse safe haven. (Fun fact: Maia J. Hoffenberg ’26 went viral just for posting pictures of her dorm on Sidechat; do we really have to say more to convince you of Lev dorm rooms’ beauty?) When asked what her thoughts were on living in Lev, Tova L. Kaplan ’26 said simply, “We love Leverett,” so much that she and her roommates chose to live in the exact same room! Given that this room includes three very comfortable doubles with a beautiful common room and an ensuite bathroom — seriously, how did they get that as sophomores? — it’s not a mystery why they decided to return.

What makes Lev, Lev?

The name “Leverett” comes from the

to explore.

French “leveret,” meaning “young hare.” Appropriately enough, the green and gold House crest is decorated with bunnies! Besides being a great play on words, Leverett’s courtyards also act as a home to many rabbits, making the House’s title a fitting choice. You can look forward to joining the wildlife on the many lawn chairs Lev has for the warm summer months (or as soon as it gets above 40 for some of you).

Leverett isn’t just a great habitat for these bunnies; it’s a cozy home for its students, too, even if they’re bunnies in name only, with common spaces that more than measure up against those in the other Houses. Lev’s beautiful Library Theater is a popular space that students in Lev (and only Lev) are able to book for any event. Student orgs like AADT and Ghungroo often practice in the Library Theater, so count easy access to great entertainment among Lev’s perks. With speakers and multicolored lighting, the Library Theater is objectively a great place to have access to, whether you’ll use it to watch a movie with some friends or just stop by to marvel at all the amazing student performers that choose to practice there. The more artistically inclined should also take advantage of the music practice rooms and beautiful art displays in Lev, either to find inspiration or to just stare wide-eyed (like a few unnamed Flyby writers). The Rabbit Hole, meanwhile, is a social space where students can participate in Leverett’s weekly steins each community night, unwind at the pool table, or stress bake in the kitchen. These community-oriented spaces, in addition to the F- and G-Hutches on the ground floor of each of the towers — that are suitable for gatherings of any variety (cough cough) — help make Lev a great place to live, as there’s always more

Last but certainly not least, one cannot truly appreciate the Lev life unless they recognize that the “dhall is, like, the hub of community” in Leverett, as Jiang puts it. This isn’t only because it is the site of many House events, but also because it is guaranteed to be where you run into your roommates, crushes, and future best friends. From socializing at everyday meals to commiserating with fellow bunnies (and a gazillion other STEM concentrators) at weekly Math Nights, the Lev dhall has the best of Berg with none of the long lines. You can especially look forward to seeing Bon Lee, who is there to greet all Lev students at the swipe station (and turn away any interlopers!).

Lev(el) With Us

If you had to personify Lev into a character from popular culture, what would it be?

MHJ: Kind of bubbly, like very cutesy. Imagine a bunny in human form, so Judy Hopps, maybe. “Zootopia.”

Leverett is one of Harvard’s biggest Houses. Do you think that makes community harder to form?

MHJ: Honestly, that was my worry coming into Leverett. I’ve heard “big House — it can be easy to get lost,” but I really found that that isn’t the case because, between the weekly steins, all the dinners the faculty deans host… there’s a lot of place in the House for people to gather.

What was your initial reaction to getting Lev?

HSG: I remember we could see from our

window people coming in. We saw Cabot, we saw Lowell, eventually we saw Leverett. We had no idea who was coming, but eventually Leverett came up. They were wearing their green bunny ears — unmistakable. It was so festive. I just remember jumping up and down. We were all, I think, the most elated we’ve ever been.

When it comes to living in Lev, you’ll find that there’s truly nowhere else you’d rather be. With location, amenities, and intensely proud community, you’re bound to love your new home. In fact, people love Leverett House so much that the structural integrity of floors throughout the Yard have been put to the test by the (literal) hops of excited future bunnies as Leverites dorm-stormed, so much so that even Graham was worried. Guess that goes to show that once you lev here, you’re going to lev it!

bianca.egan@thecrimson.com

VICTORIA CHEN — CRIMSON DESIGNER

The beautiful natural lighting in a bedroom in one of Leverett House’s towers. COURTESY OF ELLEN P. CASSIDY

Lev HoCo chairs with a Leventine’s box filled with cute messages.

COURTESY OF ELLEN P. CASSIDY

THE HARVARD CRIMSON

Allow me to introduce you to Mather House, AKA the concrete jungle. No, really: With a lion and gorilla as mascots (yes, there are two mascots) and lush plants lining its common spaces, Mather fully embraces its unique, quirky vibe. Don’t let its brutalist exterior fool you — Mather is filled with natural light, spacious singles, a vibrant culture, and even better people, all contributing to its warm and welcoming atmosphere!

Mather House Home

Mather is home to what Matherites would refer to as the best in-House community on campus. How do they do it, you may be wondering? With the help of none other than the

wonderful Mather Faculty Deans Lakshminarayanan Mahadevan and Amala Mahadevan, of course. The Faculty Deans make it a point to be involved with the Mather community and events, developing tight-knit relationships with students and making humorous appearances in Mather’s Gorilla Gazette newspaper. “I would say that our Faculty Deans’ open houses are the best around. Maha and Amala have great taste in food. Cannot recommend [enough], like, showing up right at 8 so that you can get those mochi donuts,” said Matherite Nina Howe-Goldstein ’25. In fact, House Committee (HoCo) chair Olga Kerameos ’27 even claimed that “the Mather Faculty Deans are the reason that there’s now no cap on how many years a House can have a faculty dean for — they’re just that good!” Free food and wonderful vibes tells you all that you need to know about this lovely pair and House!

Matherites also know how to have fun. For real. I swear. They definitely aren’t forc-

ing me to say this… The House is great at bringing people together through an exciting array of social events, throughout the year. The most revered of these events include the infamous famous Mather Lather (because nothing says “college experience” like a foam party with strangers in a dhall), and Mather Prom (yes, you get another wear out of that prom dress). On top of these events, Mather boasts many popular party spots on campus, including some renowned party suites and a Junior Common Room that is much loved by Matherites and is a coveted party spot for people outside of Mather, too. While most encounter the JCR after hours, in the daylight the room is equipped with its own ping-pong tables (yay), a kitchen, a piano, and a signed picture of notable Mather alum, Conan O’Brian ’85.

At Home at the Jungle Top

One of the largest Houses at Harvard, Mather

is home to around 400 students, all of whom live in singles. Yes, you heard that right — all of them! Sophomores typically live in the lowrise and have two-story suites of four to five singles off of a common room. Seniors and juniors can expect to live in the main, 19-story Mather tower and have their own huge singles. This means no more doubles, ever. Let that sink in. This almost makes up for the fact that the tower elevator only stops on floors that are multiples of three, for no logical reason. It’s essentially leg day every day; why go to the gym when you can live on the wrong healthiest floor of the tower? Within the buildings themselves, there have been consistent reports of great hot water, with phenomenal water pressure specifically in the low-rise suites, which is another huge win. That sounds like the perfect reward for climbing a long flight of stairs — I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t jealous. As a true investigative reporter, I stopped by one of the low-rise suites to properly envi-

By CHARLOTTE F. HARRIS CRIMSON STAFF WRITER

VICTORIA CHEN — CRIMSON DESIGNER

sion your future in Mather. There, I found a spacious common room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Dunster House. By “overlooking,” I mean that you could literally reach out and touch it — that’s how close it is. (Does that mean it’s time for some parkour?) Heading further into the suite, I went down a set of stairs to find a set of two singles with a shared hallway, each equipped with vanity space and very generously sized closets. Now, your closet can finally accommodate some actual clothes and not just your collection of coats.

The room I visited was decked out in maximalist decor; this might make it seem like you’re trying too hard in other House’s, but Mather’s simple interiors allow you to go wild with decorating. Howe-Goldstein, one of the room’s residents, has loved accumulating art and posters throughout her time at Mather. Howe-Goldstein noted, “It’s easy to learn to love Mather…If you go into it thinking, ‘yes, I’m gonna love Mather, I’m gonna have a single, I’m gonna really embrace the brutalism and the, like, scrappy vibe’ — you’re actually gonna have a great time.”

Concrete Amenities

In addition to its multitude of singles, Mather boasts a horde of other amenities. Mather excels at the basics, with one of the largest gyms on campus and a triple-decker library. Moreover, what it lacks in red brick and moldings it makes up for with an abundance of spaces unique to the House. For starters, there is an intricate tunnel system — I may or may not have gotten lost trying to find my way out of the House — that lets Matherites traverse the House without ever stepping foot outside. In the winter, this is an enviable feature of life in the “concrete jungle,” allowing Matherites to stay indoors until they decide it’s warm

enough to venture out; who wouldn’t want to be Harvard’s very own groundhog (Punxsutawney Lion, Punxsutawney Gorilla, perhaps)? In terms of themed rooms, fan favorites are the multimedia art room and a tranquility/yoga room for when you need to have a mid-midterms zen moment (or pre-midterms, or post-midterms — we don’t judge)

Most uniquely, Mather also has a series of arts rooms including, but not limited to, a pottery-making studio and wood-turning tables (both of which offer classes throughout the week), as well as numerous soundproof music practice rooms. Any hobby that sparks your interest, Mather has an outlet for! “Because we have so much concrete space, we decorate it with a lot of art,” said Kerameos. These colorful pieces of art, and an accompanying army of plants, aid in making Mather feel slightly less desolate like an architecturally sophisticated but lived-in home. Couple that with copious skylights, floor-to-ceiling windows, and more plants than you can load into a pickup truck, and the space feels very bright and welcoming.

Of course, we can’t forget everyone’s favorite common space: the dhall. The Mather dhall serves as the hub for much of the activity within the House. Weekly pset nights, Happy Hours (known as steins in some Houses), and Faculty Dean open houses bring great food and a strong sense of community together in the House. The “hominess” of the Mather dhall makes it a central hangout space for most of the residents, and occasionally the resident House dogs — shoutout Donkey, Moose, and Marshmallow!

Getting Some Concrete Answers

Still not fully convinced? Hear more from HoCo chair Olga Karemeros ’27 (and Nina H. Goldstein ’25)!

If you had to describe Mather in 3 words what would they be?

OK: We’re artsy…green…and proud.

What are the Mather Faculty Deans like?

NHG: We love them. My concentration is nowhere near the sort of scientific stuff they’re doing, but that does not matter. They are the sweetest people; they really care about students.

Does Mather’s confusing layout get easier to navigate as you go?

NHG: It can be kind of hard to navigate, but once you sort of understand the pattern, because Mather is very pattern based, part of brutalist architecture… I would say that in many ways it’s actually easier to learn than some of the older neo-Georgian Houses. If you had to liken your House to a fruit, what would it be and why?

OK: Something that’s ugly on the outside but good on the inside. What is that?

CFH: Like an avocado?

OK: That’s good. Maybe an avocado.

What is one thing that you want freshmen to know about your House?

OK: Mather is the kind of House where you’re glad that you have a single, but you also never want to stay in it because you want to be here in the dhall, meeting new people and interacting with all the other wonderful faces that we have here!

What is your favorite memory regarding the House?

OK: The trajectory of hating Mather the first

time you get it… and then a couple of months later, you find yourself either in charge of the House or just eager to come back after a long way in this ugly yet very warm place, feeling like home only after a couple of months.

As you can see, once you get past its unique concrete exterior, Mather is a place you will never want to leave. Half of the battle is getting to the edge of River East to begin with, but let’s look on the bright side: You will never have to try to get your daily steps in! All jokes aside, Mather has amazing amenities, an ideal housing situation, and a great community, all of which make it a standout on campus. So yeah, is it cute on the outside? No… but it’s great on the inside, and maturing is realizing that’s what really Mathers, right?

charlotte.harris@thecrimson.com

A stylish dorm in Mather House. COURTESY OF DANI N. ZYLSTRA

A beautiful common space in Mather House. ANGELA DELA CRUZ — CRIMSON PHOTOGRAPHER

THE HARVARD CRIMSON

Imagine this: lounging on a hammock, facing the Charles River from the Eliot courtyard, chatting with other Eliotites about what to wear to the best event of the year — Fête, the formal with the most sought-after tickets. Amazing, right? Eliot House isn’t just a place to live. It’s a social scene, and everyone wants in. From holiday dinners to perfectly themed steins and over-the-top formals, Eliotites dominate the fashion game in their cocktail attire. Are you secretly longing for the “work hard and play harder” energy? Come to the DOMUS!

At Home in the Domus

Eliot House enjoys a prime location in

front of the Charles River, offering its 450 to 500 students a rich history of long-standing traditions. Students in Eliot are often found spending their late nights at The Grille or in the Square after partying at the nine- or ten-man suites with other Eliotites. With famous alumni like Gabby Thomas ‘19 and Rashida Jones ‘97 from “Parks and Recreation,” Eliot alums do not fall short of the Hollywood spotlight. Want to hear more about why Eliot House is the place to be? We’ve conducted some research to see exactly what it means to live in the home of the Mastodon (which is just an elephant, basically).

If there’s one thing that defines Eliot, it’s residents’ sense of community — everyone in the House truly knows each other. Walking into Eliot’s dhall early in the morning, it was impossible not to notice the lively conversations filling the

room. Unlike other Houses, where students bury themselves in emails or otherwise fixate on their screens, Eliotites gather around the long, communal tables, catching up with friends and staff alike. During my interview with one of the House Committee (HoCo) chairs in the building manager’s office, Eliot residents and staff constantly stopped by to say hello, popping in and out like it was second nature. “I think we have, like, a super strong relationship, like across years and grades,” HoCo chair Annabel S. Lowe ‘26 said. “Our faculty deans do a great job…You, like, can’t walk past Paul’s office (the building manager) without him saying hello. He knows everyone. Sue knows everyone as well. She’s our House Administrator. Grace is our dhall worker. She’s awesome. Renee as well…it’s just such a lovely community in that sense.” It’s safe to say that this social bunch lives up to

their reputation! Whether it’s the staff or tutor greeting every student by name, Eliot isn’t just a House…it’s a family and the place to be!

Eventful Evenings in Eliot

If you find your social battery still buzzing by Thursday night, Eliot House has biweekly steins, hosted by the Eliot House Committee (HoCo). With themes like St. Paddy’s Day and Halloween Golf, plus its semesterly Karaoke Stein, there’s always something to look forward to in Eliot’s walls. Whether you drop by for a couple of minutes or stay until the end, these events are great spaces to escape the library (though it’s the most gorgeous place you’ll ever lock in).

But it doesn’t stop there: Eliot’s faculty run Tiny Desk, an intimate performance series in the House library. “It’s all stu -

By MELISSA C. SUQUISUPA CRIMSON STAFF WRITER

VICTORIA CHEN — CRIMSON DESIGNER

HOUSING DAY 2025

dent performances, and people do poetry and music…I think it’s once a month,” Lowe said. Tiny Desk performances are super low-stakes and no pressure, so stop by and showcase your secret talents to fellow Eliotites, or be part of the bestdressed audience — you decide!

Every month, students enjoy an enhanced dinner, where students can take a break from regular dhall food and catch up with professors or Resident Tutors. The Holiday Dinner and F.O. Matthiessen dinner are also exclusive events for Eliot residents, featuring heartfelt senior speeches and performances. In February, the House also celebrates the birth -

day of a former faculty member. But wait — there’s more! One of the most beloved traditions happens during graduation week when seniors paint the famous Eliot tunnels, leaving behind drawings, blocking group names, and initials.

Eliot’s spirit isn’t just found inside the House; it thrives on the field and courts as well. Competing for the Straus Cup, Eliot’s IM teams bring the same energy to sports as they do to House traditions.

Led by IM Kings John P. Philips ’26 and Thomas A. Tait ’26, the House competes in everything from soccer to basketball, fostering both friendly competition with other Houses and House spirit!

Obviously, there’s one event we can’t forget when it comes to Eliot: Fête!. Every spring, Eliot House throws the biggest House formal on campus, complete with an enormous budget, stunning décor, and a walk-in photo booth. “There’s a lot of preparation that goes into picking a theme and doing it to its fullest potential… Last year, they spent ages thrifting — I think it was Renaissance-themed,” said Lowe. Each year, Eliot’s central courtyard is transformed into a picture-worthy venue, with a massive, decorated tent and live music from a jazz band of Eliot musicians (talk about self-sufficient!). And, of course, Fête has its iconic ice sculpture of the Eliot mastodon on display for its guests who either pay dues or had to convince (or pay) their friend (or potentially a Sidechat stranger) for an invite. Since it’s almost about that time… does anyone have a plus-one ticket? Asking for a friend...

Typically, sophomores entering Eliot House can expect an n-1 housing setup, meaning that most students will be in doubles (or a suite with at least one double) for their first year living in Eliot. (Or, you could always try the age-old tactic of having a suitemate sleep in the common room…we’re sure that’ll end well.) However, with Eliot going through renovations, next year’s sophomores will be placed in (very luxurious) overflow housing in the Prescotts, the Inn, Fairfax, Hampden, or Ridgely.

While some may be disappointed not to live in the House itself, Eliot is making sure its community stays as strong as ever. With an increased budget during swing housing, students can look forward to even more House programming, events, and traditions to keep the Eliot spirit alive, no matter where they’re living.

Wonderland Down Under

Eliot is also packed with top-tier amenities that make everyday life better. The House gym is perfect for getting in a quick workout, while the dedicated dance room doubles as a space for yoga and other activities. For those who prefer a quieter study spot, Eliot’s stunning library offers a peaceful escape with breathtaking views of the Charles River. The excitement continues as you walk through the tunnels connecting most of the House’s entryways, as students can unwind with a pool table, chill out in the TV lounge, and prep for midterms and finals in dedicated study spaces. Down in

the basement, movie lovers can head to the Golden Arm Screening Room, a cinema space to watch movies and snack on popcorn while leaning back in the room’s super fancy recliners. And of course, there’s the Eliot Grille, run by Henry P. Moss ’26, which serves late-night bites every Friday through Sunday. The Grille offers a lineup of late-night favorites, including burgers, milkshakes, and mozzarella sticks, all of which you can purchase with BoardPlus — so practically for free (yes, you will run out too early in the semester, but no, you won’t regret it).

Discussions with the Domus

Can’t get enough of Eliot House? Here are some additional questions answered by Eliot HoCo chair Annabel S. Lowe ‘26!

What has been your favorite memory in Eliot House?

AL: The community dinner last year when they did the swapping over of the IM chairs… [Eliot House] did this whole procession during dinner — the changing of crowns — and it was really fun!

How would you describe Eliot House in three words?

AL: The absolute best.

Look out for Eliot House this housing season, and pray to the River Gods for good luck! Happy Housing Day!

Dorms in the Domus

VICTORIA CHEN — CRIMSON DESIGNER

The always bustling Eliot House dining hall. SARAH G. ERICKSON — CRIMSON PHOTOGRAPHER

A bedroom in Eliot House, complete with a beautiful circular window.. COURTESY OF ELLEN P. CASSIDY

By DAISY S. GONZALEZ

G

ot Kirked? Worry not. In River West, behind some bold black gates, you’ll find the small but mighty Kirkland House. While the courtyard might look calm at a first glance, the House’s lively traditions and irrepressible spirit will keep your three years in Kirk buzzing with energy. Winning a spot in Kirkland ensures more than just an ideal location along the River (or Costco-themed merch); you’ll also become part of a tight-knit “kommunity.”

Kirk’s Quirks

Kirkland House, commonly known as simply “Kirk,” is where tradition, chaos, and an oddly strong sense of community come together. Ever participated in Secret San-

ta? Consider Kirkland’s Secret Santa Week — the Super Bowl version. If you thought it was about exchanging small gifts, think again: Kirk residents can choose to participate in the exchange at several levels of commitment. Some of the higher levels include lavish gifts such as full-scale performances, elaborate pranks, and in one case, an actual internship?!

“I truly appreciate the sense of fun and silliness that the House just so deeply embraces and embeds within our House culture,” House Committee (HoCo) chair Joy R. Ho ’26 says. With so many different traditions, it’s evident that Kirkland’s biggest strength is its sense of community.

Are weekly events more your vibe? You can enjoy the House’s Boat Club, formerly started by members of the rowing team (but now run by Resident Tutors Clara Baselga-Garriga ‘19 and Austin Gregg), a friendly space that offers freshly-baked

CRIMSON STAFF WRITER

VICTORIA CHEN — CRIMSON DESIGNER

Inside the historic Hicks House, which serves as a library for Kirkland students. JOEY HUANG — CRIMSON PHOTOGRAPHER

cookies every Monday night, testing out brand new flavors each week. Or perhaps you’ll sit in on Beer Seminar, where of age Kirklanders brew alcohol for House events. Fighting the Sunday scaries? You can also drop by Sunday Tea Seminars to partake in some sweets freshly made by students. No more having to make the trek to Insomnia to satisfy your sweet tooth cravings — Kirkland has you covered in-House, and for free!

Love Mondays (said no one ever)? Enjoy staying up until midnight? Every Sunday at midnight, embrace the upcoming week by chanting in Kirkland dhall. But the chanting isn’t for just the vibes. As students chant, the theme of the week is chosen out of the special animal cracker jar. Remember high school spirit week? Well, for Kirk, spirit week never ends. Each week represents a new theme that Kirklanders abide by. Past themes have included milk week (just chug!), pool week (bring your floaties), and trip week (not the noun, the verb…). As a non-Kirklander, I can appreciate the various traditions my Kirkland friends have dragged invited me to (even without having been inducted into the Kirk-ult). So, as a first-year destined for Kirk (or an upperclassman planning to drop by), I know you will, too.

There are also plenty of opportunities to meet fellow Kirklanders. One way to revel in the Kirk craziness solidarity is to play intramural sports. Kirkland IMs have been strong for quite a streak now. As the current Straus Cup champions, they are hoping to secure yet another trophy to show off in their Junior Common Room.

“When you sit in the dining hall, the way it’s set up, you can just talk to anyone. Not exactly like Annenberg, but you’re as close as you’re gonna get,” HoCo co-chair Jacqui R. Schlesinger ’26 added. So whether you’re here for the cookies, the chaos, or just the community — once you get Kirked, there’s no turning back.

Kirk’s Cozy Housing

As a sophomore in Kirkland, you also don’t have to worry about overflow housing. This means that you’ll actually get to live in your House (goodbye, Class of 2025!). Sophomores are usually housed in doubles or triples, and whether you’re in a hallway double or a suite of two singles and a common room, one thing is guaranteed: ensuite bathrooms! Now, instead of being forced to leave your dorm to use the restroom, you’ll be able to brave the true test of your blocking group…following a cleaning schedule. While shared bedrooms are typical for

Kirk sophomores, by your junior and senior years, you can look forward to having your own single. Furthermore, Kirk’s bed frames are on the newer side, so the beds are sure to be comfortable (use this information as you will). However, as someone who hates stairs, I must note that Kirkland lacks elevators around the House. While this will definitely make for a hassle on move-in day, who doesn’t appreciate a little extra cardio to keep them feeling young? If you run into the unique problem of making too many friends with the random Kirklanders who help you move in your couch, mini fridge, or 50-inch TV, you could choose to live with them in Kirkland’s ten-man suite known as “The Beef” or even the nine-man suite known as “The Eef” (each named to reflect the entryway they’re in) and help keep Kirk’s social scene going strong.

Kirk’s Cool Places

Additionally, you’ll have access to special places within Kirkland such as the historic Hick’s House, the House’s library. As the second oldest house in Cambridge, Kirkland residents know that this building must have seen some things, which makes it an appropriate choice for their haunted house during Halloween. There’s nothing scarier than walking into Hick’s House on Sunday as you realize how much work you have left to do…but maybe that’s just me. If you need an alternate refuge to finally tackle those psets, then the Kirkland Junior Common Room (JCR) has you covered. With its cozy, wood-paneled, dark-academia aesthetic, the JCR is able to make even the most soul-crushing pset feel slightly more bearable. With grand windows, comfy seating, and an atmosphere that screams, “I am definitely a productive Harvard student!!!” (even if you’re just doom scrolling), the JCR is a go-to spot. And if you run into someone willing to procrastinate with you, just take a quick walk downstairs to the famous Kirkland basement.

The basement offers a variety of places to procrastinate socialize. From the comfortable couch set in front of a smart TV (the best place to play Mario Kart, as far as I’m concerned), to the pool table, and even a foosball table, there are plenty of ways to not do that reading that you swore you’d do. But if you want another space to study, the basement has a few study areas such as a quiet study room and a computer lab for any student to use.

Another perk of Kirk is the connectivity between various parts of the build-

ing through the basement, which means you’ll never have to step outside! While this might not seem that important at first glance, let’s be frank, it is definitely nice during the harsher winter months. These paths throughout the House will ensure that you are always bound to meet new Kirklanders, even at times when you might not expect it. Whether you are doing your laundry, working out in the gym (which has brand new equipment, by the way!), or socializing studying in the various common spaces, you are bound to run into someone you may recognize.

Chatting Up Kirk

Still haven’t had enough about Kirkland’s culture? Keep reading!

What side of TikTok would Kirkland be on?

JRH: “Okay, if we were to be on a side of Tiktok, Kirkland would be the side where, like, someone’s giving a story, but there’s like a Subway Surfers at the top of the video. That’s what side of Tiktok we would be on… there’s a lot going on but you’re really happy to be there.”

JRS: “And everyone loves that side of Tiktok.”

If Kirkland were a HUDS meal, which would it be?

JRH : “We are the nachos because, like nachos, you can choose and customize the toppings that you want. So you can choose how engaged you want to be in Kirkland, but either way, it is a melting pot of different flavors. We are a melting pot of dif-

ferent personalities. But at the end of the day, nachos just taste great. And so is Kirkland.”

JRS: “I love it.”

Kirkland is where a simple midnight tradition spirals into a full-House obsession, where your tutors’ pets might just have more social clout than you, and where a ten-man suite named “The Beef” is a normal thing. It’s a House that thrives on inside jokes and somehow convinces you that waking up early or staying up late for IMs is worth it. If you end up here, just roll with it — the odds are that you’ll never want to leave!

Kirkland’s spacious yet intimate dining hall. SANTIAGO A. SALDIVAR — CRIMSON PHOTOGRAPHER

THE HARVARD CRIMSON

Where Everyone Knows Your Name

Welcome to Winthrop, where the only thing more legendary than the air purifiers is the community that calls this place home. Whether you’re here for the cozy lounges, the championship-worthy IM teams, or the massive suites, there’s something for everyone. Stick around, and you might just find yourself in the company of the next Oppenheimer or JFK!

If you’re looking for the quintessential Harvard House experience (one with rich history, unbeatable views, and a tightknit community), Winthrop might just be your perfect match. Sitting pretty along the Charles, this recently renovated House has some of the best river views on campus — perfect for golden hour Insta stories.

The House is more than just the building itself; the people in it are what truly make Winthrop House, Winthrop Home. The resident tutors are incredibly engaged, hosting events with chocolates for Valentine’s Day or special treats for Chinese New Year. Beyond their snack-providing talents, they’re also a great resource when it comes to academic help and mentorship. Basically, they’re like fairy godparents… if fairy godparents also proofread your essays and reminded you about grant deadlines.

From study breaks to themed events, there’s always something happening in the House. Steins usually happen biweekly, and they’re a great way for the Winthrop community to come together. Some past steins have included the “Bifurcated Bash,” which was hosted in the Lion’s Den, a common area in the House’s basement, and the Grille right

above the Den; “Demure or Brat,” inspired by some key phrases of summer 2024; and “The Wild West,” which is pretty self-explanatory. Other popular events include Throptoberfest, during which Winthropians gather in Gore Courtyard for a barbeque and games, and the Super Bowl watch party, which the House hosts in the dhall with snacks and beverages.

Intramural sports, commonly referred to as IMs, are also a crucial component of the Winthrop community. They bring everyone together, regardless of skill level, to join a fun and inclusive environment wherein Winthropians can bond over friendly competition and team spirit. Even so, House Committee (HoCo) chair Henry Chen ’26 hopes to foster more involvement and heighten the stakes for the Winthrop community. In order to get the whole House excited about IMs, he adds that hopefully “there’ll be one person who has a jersey retired [displayed in a

place of honor] at the end of [future seasons].”

With this new reward scheme, you could be the next to go down in Winthrop athletic history. In other words, if you’re willing to risk mild bodily harm for the glory of Winthrop, you might just earn yourself a spot in the rafters! One of the most impressive athletic feats that Winthrop has seen was by Angelina Ng ’26, who, as Chen described, “booked it on a sprained ankle down the field and then she caught [the lob] right at the corner of the end zone.” At another game, the House Winthrop was supposed to play forfeited after 25 Winthropians showed up to play basketball — so did the valiant Winthropians just go home? No, they played basketball together anyways, showing their community spirit as per usual.

Sophomore Housing and Beyond

Let’s get to maybe the largest selling point of Winthrop: the housing. When it comes to

By AMORY C. GORDON CRIMSON STAFF WRITER

VICTORIA CHEN — CRIMSON DESIGNER

dorm rooms, Winthrop possibly has some of the best options for sophomores. While this year about 50 percent of Winthropian sophomores lived in Fairfax Hall (overflow housing located on Mass Ave.), next year all students should fit in Winthrop proper. Most sophomores will have suite-style dorms with doubles, most commonly in groups of four or six. Both HoCo chairs Chen and Kevin Lin ’26 gave the sophomore housing a whopping nine out of ten, a solid endorsement. After sophomore year, there are even bigger suites to look forward to with even more singles and more space to make your own. The nine-man (or nine-woman this year) is the biggest suite in Winthrop, perfect for those who want the social life of a frat house with the personal space of a monastery. With nine singles, two floors, two bathrooms, and one massive common room, this dorm is perfect for all your hosting or hermiting needs.

More than Just a Roof Over Your Head

Throughout Winthrop you’ll find beautiful common spaces, including cozy lounges that are perfect for spending time with friends or studying between classes. Whether you’re hanging out in the Lion’s Den or Winthrop Grille, you’ll always be able to find a space that allows you to take advantage of the community that calls Winthrop home. Winthrop’s variety of common spaces cater to everyone’s needs, whether you’re socializing, studying, or simply relaxing. Winthropians can even pursue hobbies in various, function-specific rooms throughout the House, such as the art studio or meditation room. And if your hobby is just taking really long naps, well, any couch in Winthrop can double as a nap room.

The dhall isn’t just another place to grab a bite — it’s a favorite gathering spot for Winthrop residents. Lin acknowledges that it’s “not a rumor” but “more like a fact” that the Winthrop dhall has a bit of a smell, but he says that they have “really huge air purifiers right now.” With those air purifiers

running at full throttle, they’re doing their best to clear the air, one (hopefully fresher) breath at a time.

If you ever find yourself missing dhall hours on a Wednesday night, never fear, because you can stop by the Winthrop dhall for CS night. Each Wednesday evening Winthrop hosts CS office hours for all CS classes and has lots of pizza! Even if you’re more of a humanities person, no one will make you code to grab a slice. You can also check out the Grille, which serves up everything from chicken quesadillas to milkshakes and fries.

Talk to Throp

Still curious? Take a listen to what the HoCo chairs have to say!

Which three words would you use to describe your House?

KL: I think we’re pretty sassy…there’s not beef, but it’s a friendly competition between, like, Currier, Kirkland, and Eliot [in IM sports].

HC: Resilience… I think Winthrop has gone through its fair share of tough times, highs and lows, and shaky communities sometimes, especially during the COVID years, and I think people have really come through that and really want to bring Winthrop back to what it was.

KL: Committed. Everything we’ve been talking about is, like, the whole House is very bought in — the same with the Strauss Cup in IMs.

What’s the biggest misconception about your House?

KL: Bad community… I think it’s been the best community I’ve been in. I think you

don’t even have to try to be part of it; we’ll just be there and welcoming you. Regardless if you like it or not, you’re part of us.

HC: I think a lot of people say going to Winthrop is like soulless but… I feel like there’s so much community. People actually really love being involved, and it differs person to person, but I think overall people seem to be getting more and more bought in.

If you had to liken your House to a fruit, what would it be and why?

HC: Mango… I feel like you can’t hate on a mango. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like mangoes.

KL: Pomelo… I just like it… Pomelo isn’t that hard to eat. I mean, it’s low-effort, but also, [Winthrop] is a very low-effort community to become a part of — it’s a low barrier [of entry] to become part of the community.

What’s one thing you would want freshmen to know about your House?

KL: Steins are Thursdays! ... When you get sorted, you’re part of the House, so come to IMs; we need all the help we can get to keep our number one spot!

Winthrop combines old school charm with modern comfort, making it a solid win in the Housing lottery. So, if you’re looking for stunning river views, a built-in community, and a House that knows how to have fun (and win IMs), Winthrop is calling your name. From steins to CS nights to the massive suites, life in Winthrop is anything but boring. Throp stays on top!

VICTORIA CHEN — CRIMSON DESIGNER

Winthrop House’s beautiful library, located in Standish Hall. LOTEM L. LOEB — CRIMSON PHOTOGRAPHER

Winthrop House’s highly coveted Junior Common Room. LOTEM L. LOEB — CRIMSON PHOTOGRAPHER

Welcome to Adams — swanky, spirited, and newly renovated. Featuring four buildings, topof-the-line amenities, an abundance of singles, and a bustling community (all a mere block from the Yard), Adams House truly has it all. Be ready to embrace its unofficial acorn mascot, partake in weekly Carpes, and enjoy the convenience and comfort of this jack-of-all-trades House.

All About Adams

Adams House is in the heart of the Square, and its residents are arguably the heart of Harvard. Even with renovations keeping residents out of some of their historical spaces, House traditions keep the community going strong.

Housing Committee (HoCo) co-chairs Roxy H. Hreb ’26 and Grace J. Shambley ’26 cited Drag Night in the fall semester and Aurum, their spring formal, as the two biggest highlights of an Adams resident’s year.

Drag Night is Harvard’s oldest drag night and features “a mix of student performers and then professional performers as well,” according to Shambley. The event draws an audience hailing from the tallest floor of Mather to the furthest corner of the Quad. With the dhall

transformed into a stage, Adams residents and members of other Houses are invited to leave it all on the floor in their best drag performances and attire. The Faculty Deans always join in the fun, performing themselves.

Another large event in the House is Chocoholica, a large Valentines-themed event with swing dancing, champagne, and erotic chocolates. If that special someone just won’t ask you to be their Valentine, don’t worry; Adams House has you covered, as this event is sure to leave you with great memories and even better company. Smaller but no less spirited events like weekly Carpe Noctems (meaning “seize the night”) give Adamsians food and good vibes to look forward to every week, complete with unique themes like Louisiana, soup (Soupe!), and Celine Dion. If you get Adams House, you’ll have no shortage of awesome events to attend!

Adams has a score of other perks; to name just one, the House has its own gong and a pipe organ, in case you’re ever feeling musical and want to try a more entertaining instrument than the recorder you were forced to play in elementary school. Additionally, underground tunnels connect the House’s halls, and with its previous reputation as a very artistic house, you’ll find all sorts of artwork around as you explore. It’s the perfect place to unlock your inner art critic and really ascend to a higher level of intellectual, art-appreciating vitality — or sit and watch paint dry (pick

welcoming to new residents, fostering a supportive community for all. Rising sophomores can look forward to connecting with upperclassmen in the “Little Acorn, Big Oak” program, which pairs current upperclassmen with incoming residents in Adams in an effort to acclimate the freshmen and integrate them into the House community. You’ll never be without a friend in Adams House!

It’s not just the upperclassmen who cheer you on, though. If you ever have career questions, existential crises, or simply are looking for some life advice, the Adams Faculty Deans and resident tutors are here for you. Christensen wants to go into epidemiology and public health. Mercedes C. Becerra ‘91, the Adams House Faculty Dean, is an epidemiologist herself. Christensen said, “She’s given me so much guidance on what I can be doing now as an undergraduate, to feel out research and figure out exactly what I want to do.”

Plus, according to Hreb, Adams has a very active Senior Common Room, connecting students with various academics and professionals. You don’t even have to go to the Mignone Center to brush up on your networking skills anymore, you have it all in the comfort of your own home!

your poison). Adams resident Anika L. Christensen ’26 has fond memories of exploring the tunnels, even if they’re off-limits for this year’s River Run. “Adams was the last House we went to, and we managed to explore every single building of it through the tunnels. And I think that mystically is what let the Housing Gods determine that we, in fact, will be in Adams.” Freshmen, unfortunately, cannot follow in her path this year, with renovations keeping the tunnels Christensen used off-limits, but that just means you’ll have to forge your own luck to manifest Adams (whatever this might mean to you – go nuts).

In the Adams Spirit

Upperclassmen in Adams are incredibly

And, if you’re sick of collecting endless basic Harvard tote bags, Adams has you covered. New residents can also look forward to fun, unique merchandise when they get into Adams. “We’re famous for our boxers,” Hreb said, “and the bow ties.” Housing Day is the only day (besides Primal Scream) where running around the Yard in your underwear, specifically nut-covered boxers, is heavily encouraged — take advantage of it!

Part of the Adams spirit is also taking everything with good humor, and rolling with the punches. When asked about intramural sports, Hreb gave an optimistic view. “We’re in the top twelve,” she said, as Shambley nodded along. I mean hey, Adams can’t be the best at everything — they had to save the athleticism for another House to make it even! And anyways, clearly, it’s not the victories that

By CASSIDY M. CHENG CRIMSON STAFF WRITER

VICTORIA CHEN — CRIMSON DESIGNER

An Adams junior’s tastefully decorated common room. JULIAN J. GIORDANO — CRIMSON PHOTOGRAPHER

DAY 2025

matter to this House — it’s the many friends (nuts? acorns?) you make along the way.

All About Sophomore Housing

As for the House itself, current freshmen haven’t had the chance to see Adams in all its glory due to renovations. But fear not — they’re expected to be completed this summer. So freshmen fortunate enough to get Adams as their home for the next three years will get modern, fully renovated digs. Yes, your dorm room will be your dorm room, and you will be the first person to sleep there — pretty cool stuff!

Currently, sophomores are housed at the Inn, where they’re blessed with A/C and fantastic proximity to the Yard. Starting this fall, though, Hreb and Shambley expect that most sophomore Adams residents will live in Randolph and Claverly Hall. With its gorgeous common rooms and large quantity of singles, new Adams residents are really going to be living in luxury.

Located in River Central among multiple buildings, Adams residents are naturally close to the Yard and most of their classes — it’s essentially like an upperclassmen union dorm, but this time it’s cool to live in (no offense to Pennypacker, Greenough, and Hurlbut). Any freshman placed here will barely have to wake up earlier than they do now to make it to class on time — on the flip side, though, you don’t have a very good excuse for missing your 9 a.m. classes now.

Its location is also wonderful for when HUDS is closed. Christensen said, “If I’m just looking to go out really late at night,

we’re not a very far walk from Pinocchio’s, which is so reliable at one in the morning.”

Living on the Gold Coast

A big part of Adams’s character is found in its incredible history. With notable alumni like FDR (class of 1904), William Randolph Hearst, and Chuck Schumer ‘71, plus temporary residents like J. Robert Oppenheimer (class of 1925), Robert Frost, and William Weld ‘66 (the namesake of the freshman dorm — maybe living there will help you manifest Adams!), you are following in the footsteps of greatness the moment you step foot in Adams’s halls. John F. Kennedy ‘40 would meet with his senior thesis advisor in Adams’s Coolidge Room, and now you can book it to sit and procrastinate on even starting to think about your thesis. Who knows — maybe a quick stop at the Coolidge Room will inspire a future presidential run (be nice to the IOP kids, you never know who they’ll end up becoming).

Don’t be fooled though — Adams does not fully cling to its historical roots. Its renovation introduces amenities that even JFK couldn’t have imagined having (and will surely make thesising more comfortable someday). Though several parts of the house are still under renovation, Hreb and Shambley highlighted the plethora of beautiful spaces Adams has to offer for studying, chilling, and partying. The Adams Senior House and Pool Room are the two biggest spots for parties within the House. Adams also boasts the Coolidge Room, Heaney Suite, Gold Room, Pool Theater, FDR Suite, and the Randolph Courtyard as famous study and hangout spots for its lucky, lucky residents. If you’ve landed in Adams, you’ve struck gold.

Cracking the Nuts

Before the end of the interview, I asked the lovely HoCo chairs some more wacky questions so that you could really get to know the vibe of this House!

What Hogwarts house would your House get sorted into?

RHH: Gryffindor. We have the Gryffindor colors.

If you had to liken your House to a fruit, which fruit would it be and why?

RHH: A Golden Delicious, because we’re gold.

If your House was a board game, which one would it be and why?

GJS: Snakes and Ladders — there’s tunnels, and it’s a game of luck, and you’ll be lucky to live in Adams.

What should freshmen who get your House look forward to?

GJS: Congratulations!

RHH: Don’t rub it in.

If you’re lucky enough to land in Adams House this Housing Day, take it all in: enjoy the brand-new facilities, great housing options, and amazing Adams community!

VICTORIA CHEN — CRIMSON DESIGNER cassidy.cheng@thecrimson.com

The Adams House dining hall, prior to the soon-to-be-finished renovations. PEI CHAO ZHUO — CRIMSON PHOTOGRAPHER

THE HARVARD CRIMSON

By SHAWN A. BOEHMER CRIMSON STAFF WRITER

Lowell House’s community unites under a number of things: their big bell energy, iconic tea, rich blue color scheme, and most importantly, maintaining their image as a vastly desired House by freshmen. Their convenient and central location to the Yard, the Square, and the MAC, along with an iconic bell tower, make the House stand out. Lowell may just live up to the hype.

A Beau-tea-ful Community

Lowell House is known for its proximity to the Yard, bell tower, plentiful traditions, and strong community (when united by tea). House Committee (HoCo) co-chair Behruz Mahmudov ’26 said the community in Lowell is “one of the best,” adding

that residents are “very bought in to the Lowell House spirit.” In recent years, residents have become more invested in Lowell events, a contrast with the individualistic reputation they’ve had in the past.

United by their “big bell energy,” Lowell puts on several unique events that are cherished by their residents, including Lowell Tea, hosted each Thursday and serving as an opportunity for Faculty Deans and students to connect, and the Lowellympics, a weekly challenge series to compete for a golden elk figurine. Lowell might not be the undisputed IM champion, but it more than makes up for it by hosting these House-specific games. Additionally, Lowell hosts the Yule Ball, their winter formal (Lowell equals Hogwarts?), and Bacchanalia, their spring formal, considered to be “one of the best formals,” according to HoCo co-chair Rahul K. Arora ’26.

Lowell’s HoCo stands out (if its chairs are to be believed…); for one, their HoCo is noticeably wealthier than the rest. “We spend $10,000 more than all the other Houses,” Mahmudov said. “At the end of the day, Lowell is the best House. We have the most amount of money,” Arora said.

Not all Lowell traditions are cherished by students, though. Resident Uzma A. Issa ’25 said some residents complain about Lowell’s weekly ringing of the bells because of how loud it can be. You see it as an annoyance to your weekend, we see it as a builtin alarm clock; Lowell will keep you accountable, because even on a lazy Sunday you should NOT be sleeping at 1 p.m... Lowellians can even — if they need attention — ring the bells themselves, putting their musical genius on display for every non-Quad Harvard student to hear.

Lowell does bring uniqueness to the table with its residents. For example, Lowell

residents defied the odds, achieving a statistical anomaly by housing two students from the greatest state: South Dakota. (I may or may not be from South Dakota.) Given that there are less than a dozen upperclassmen students from the state, and 12 Houses, Lowell did the (statistically) improbable.

Lowell House? Lowell Home

While I am sure you care deeply about Lowell’s traditions, you are probably here to learn about the living conditions, given you’ll be there for three years. If you get Lowell, consider yourself special lucky, as most residents have little to no complaints about the House. Issa described everything about Lowell’s rooms as “awesome.”

Lowell sophomores typically get hallway singles or singles/doubles in a triple suite, sharing a hallway bathroom. “The chances of you getting a single are very, very

VICTORIA CHEN — CRIMSON DESIGNER

high, in a suite,” Mahmudov said. If you had to suffer through sharing a shoebox-sized double with your randomly assigned roommate freshman year and need a change of scenery, Lowell has you covered.

Suites are typically on the smaller side for sophomores, with spaciousness usually increasing as the years progress and you attain seniority. However, there are some exceptions given the vast array of different room sizes, like when a group of sophomores got the spacious ten-man suite and maintained it for all three years.

While some rooms may be small, the bathrooms in Lowell are nice, consistently “clean and fresh” and have “awesome” shower pressure, according to Issa. All of this can be attributed to Lowell’s recent renovations, which were completed in the summer of 2019, making Lowell the most recently renovated House (a title they will hold for just a few more months as Adams is set to finish their renovations this summer). “I feel like Lowell isn’t breaking apart yet,” Issa said. (We hope the key word there isn’t “yet”...)

Lowell’s Luxuries

Beyond their community and housing perks, Lowell boasts a wide range of amenities for students to enjoy; seriously, it seems nearly impossible to be bored with all there is to do in this House. Here is a rapid-fire list of their amenities, covering everything you’ll need to know as a prospective Lowellian.

Lowell House prides itself on its unmatched amenities and with good reason. The Maker Space, found in the House’s basement, offers Lowellians access to 3D printers, Cricut machines, a laser cutter, and basically every arts and craft material and device a college kid could ever need, available at all hours of the day. When you put your project off until 3 a.m. the morning it’s due, Lowell has your back. Right

next to the Maker Space, Lowell Underground is another distinctive amenity. In recent times, it has transformed into not just a space, but an “initiative that aims to bring back open events for all undergraduates,” Mahmudov said. Considering the typical first-year Lowell Underground experience, this new initiative is a welcome addition.

Further highlighting Lowell’s strong community, residents come together to make the space and events “fun” and “accessible to people,” Mahmudov said. “We have a community of DJs, people who are passionate about music, and they’re really the driving force behind making each event fun,” Mahmudov added. The group, called The Underground, aims to enhance Lowell’s party scene. They may not have the coveted ten-man or Quincy’s infamous balcony suite, but the Underground is rapidly expanding to — hopefully — become the new coveted party spot.

Other than a work-in-progress upgraded party scene, Lowell has other memorable spots, such as beautiful courtyards (when it’s warm out), one of the nicer House libraries, a squash court, a dance studio, and plenty of nooks and crannies to study in.

Lowell is often touted as the best House by freshmen, but one thing they are not

number one at is the quality of dhall food. “I feel like Lowell is no Currier, but nothing’s like Currier,” Issa said. While Lowell may not be at the top for food, they offer a unique dining experience. Beautiful chandeliers hang in the dhall, accompanied by a vibrant interesting color scheme and a podium setup allowing residents to sign up to give speeches.

Answering the Real Questions

With all of the basics out of the way, now is the time to learn about the quirks of Lowell House, as Flyby asked Lowell’s HoCo chairs the people’s (read: your) burning questions.

How did the Lowell Dhall Couple’s Sidechat performance affect Lowell?

BM: “No matter how obvious we made it to them, it seemed like whatever signs we threw at them, they did not see. And so over time, signs got more and more crazy. I think that Lowell House really came together on that one. “

(After J. Sellers Hill ’25, a Lowellian, entered Lowell dhall) Do you think Lowell could produce another Crimson president?

RKA: “Given the ability of Lowellians to really succeed in whatever field they’re in, absolutely.”

What is the biggest misconception about Lowell?

BM: “People think that people in Lowell House are too individualistic and they’re too independent. But I think it’s actually quite the opposite. We’re trying to have little hangout spots everywhere. I think everybody in the House knows each other.”

If you had to change one thing about Lowell, what would you change and why?

RKA: “Maybe changing the orientation of the tables in the dining hall, not for anything other than just to see what happens, if people like it. If not, then we could always go back; it’s just a little social experiment.”

BM: “Because we have so much money, and we run so many outings, because things are so far away, I wish Lowell had a Lowell party bus or a little golf cart.”

If you had to describe Lowell in three words, what words would you use?

BM: “Chandelier, bouillon-spoon.”

RKA: “Big, rich, blue.”

From good shower pressure to a personal bell serenade, Lowell ensures that living there feels like luxury.

shawn.boehmer@thecrimson.com

The infamous Lowell bells. COURTESY OF STELLA A. GILBERT

Welcome to Quincy House! With its iconic House events, tight-knit community and HOT BREAKFAST (yes, get jealous), Quincy House, aka “The People’s House,” has all you’ll ever want. Its location — close to the Yard and centrally situated near the river — says it all; Quincy is a welcoming home for everyone…or should I say, everypenguin?

Quincy Qulture

When we asked the House Committee (HoCo) chairs, Varun Suraj ’26 and Aidan C. Pesce ’26, if there was a Quincy “type” or personality, Pesce immediately responded no. “Everyone loves Quincy unless

you hate people; it’s as simple as that,” he said, with Suraj adding that “Quincy is big enough and there’s enough going on that no matter who you are, there’s something for you.”

From hanging out and enjoying free food at biweekly, themed festas to Quinski, their annual ski-themed bash, there are always activities for Quincy residents to explore. Quinski, which took place earlier this year in February, is a relatively new tradition. Though it’s merely two years old (the age of a literal toddler) the event has already proven to be a great success. Although it takes place indoors (mercifully, considering the freezing temperatures at night), people were more than happy to go all in on the ski theme, showing up with snow goggles, snow pants, and more. With a collection of giant inflatable penguins (Quincy’s mascot), great music, and winter decorations galore, what’s not to love?

In the fall, Quincy has its annual exorcism of the spirit of the House namesake, Josiah Quincy. Yes, you just read that right. While this might be slightly disconcerting at first, it’s not weird per se, just rising sophomores in the courtyard “casting out, like, the demons of bad habits,” according to Pesce. Let’s be honest, we all need an activity like this (another tradition for Housing Day Eve?). Alongside that tradition, Quincy has a field day in which every class competes against each other. This isn’t exclusive to the students; the House tutors jump into the fun as well!

Transitioning into the spring semester, Quincy hosts a very fun Qarnival, which is exactly what it sounds like — a Quincy carnival! The fun doesn’t stop there, as they also host a House-wide game of Quincy Assassins. For Quincy residents, this is definitely one of the most exciting highlights of the year. Don’t be fooled — this game is intense;

last year it ended with a 30-minute one-onone standoff duel in the courtyard. Quincy Assassins participants don’t hold back — after all, there’s an entire rulebook dedicated to the game, a golden gun that’s hidden at a different location every day at midnight, and immunity from being shot if you’re, um, naked… That’s dedication.

From Old to New

Quincy House, often dubbed “The People’s House,” really lives up to its nickname. Within the first ten minutes of my meeting with Pesce and Suraj, I’d been swiped into the building by a random Quincy resident (if you’re reading this — thanks!), welcomed into Quincy dhall, and been the recipient (by proxy) of dozens of waves and greetings sent our way. It’s abundantly clear that, at around 500 students, Quincy House is bound to have

By VICTORIA CHEN

CRIMSON STAFF WRITER

VICTORIA CHEN — CRIMSON DESIGNER

a place for everyone. From what Suraj would describe as the “always packed” dhall to their iconic library, aptly named the Qube, rising sophomores — whether they dream of getting Quincy or have never heard anything about it before — have plenty to be excited about.

The two primary residential dorms are Stone Hall and New Quincy. Stone Hall, the older of the two (and, thus, once fittingly referred to as Old Quincy), was renovated about a decade ago. New Quincy, on the other hand, has not yet undergone renovations. It opened in 1959 and was the first addition to the original seven River Houses, which were built thirty years prior. Another housing option is DeWolfe overflow housing, which of-

study rooms, but suites are also an option for residents.

All About Amenities

In terms of amenities, Quincy will never leave you wanting. The House boasts a spacious gym, a theater, and a pottery studio run in part by the Office for the Arts, offering free workshops for Quincy residents to enjoy… and make a mess. There are also plenty of study spaces; the HoCo chairs both frequent the Qube, but Suraj enjoys just hanging out in the dhall to simultaneously socialize and do work — an utter fantasy that we all tell ourselves is possible! There’s also the Kates Tobin Room, the Bullitt Theater, and so much more for students to explore.

fers apartment-style accommodations — you even get your own kitchens and sometimes bay windows or balconies! Speaking of balconies, the balcony suite in New Quincy is one of the House’s most iconic locations. According to Pesce, the suite “is located right by the Qube…it is the only eight-person suite in New Quincy and the only one with a balcony. Everyone knows of the Currier Ten-Man, but I’d say the balcony suite is like the cousin to the Currier Ten-Man.”

But even if you’re not one of the lucky eight, fear not; with the main dorms built in a modern high-rise architecture style, Quincy residents (especially those in New Quincy) can easily look down (literally, not figuratively, I hope) on those in the more traditionally built neighboring Houses. Most sophomores end up getting placed in hallway singles or doubles in Stone Hall, with open social spaces and

of those people who turns in assignments at 11:59 p.m., you still have plenty of time to grab some Grille food and relax afterward!

As for the kinds of foods served, it’s a lot of comfort food — the absolute best for your (mental) health. Suraj tells me “they serve things from chicken tenders to mac and cheese bites, mozzarella sticks, wings, milkshakes, whatever.” “It’s really good,” Pesce finishes for him. The HoCo chairs told me that it’s the only way they use their BoardPlus… and the reason why they go into BoardPlus debt — must be some really good food!

Q(uincy) & A!

Can you describe Quincy in three words?

ACP: “The People’s House” VS: “Hot Breakfast.” “Grille.”

Clearly food is an important factor to these two when considering the Housing Market (and I agree)!

If Quincy were an ice cream flavor, what would it be?

VS: This is slightly not an answer, but I’m still gonna do it. Last year, at the Grille, they had Thin Mints milkshakes.

ACP: Yes, those are amazing. VS: And I have to talk to the guy who runs the Grille now because I don’t think they’ve had them yet this year, and I really miss them.

Any cool traditions surrounding House spirit?

ACP: We sometimes are a little too enthusiastic, we love to chant. Our favorite: Q-U-IN-C-Y, Quincy ’til the day I die.

VS: Yeah, that’s the general chant; that’s the chant you’ll hear when we go storm the Yard.

Before you came to Quincy, did you think that penguins were the best animal?

ACP: I’ve always liked penguins personally, so yeah, they are pretty cool.

Meanwhile, on the culinary end, many Quincy students are fans of the House Grille. The grille, located on the first floor, is fully student-run and generally open from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. So even if you’re one

Did you ever consider investing in something like a snow machine for this year’s Quinski?

VS: So we tried and were vetoed by the building manager last year. But this was a very serious consideration!

Freshmen, get excited. Quincy House, the People’s (and Penguins’) House, might just be your House this Housing Day!

victoria.chen@thecrimson.com

VICTORIA CHEN — CRIMSON DESIGNER

The spacious common room of a Quincy House dorm. GLADYS M. KISELA — CRIMSON PHOTOGRAPHER

Exploring the Eliot House Tunnels

By E. MATTEO DIAZ CRIMSON PHOTOGRAPHER

In advance of its upcoming renewal this June, The Crimson ventured into the depths of Eliot House’s tunnel system. These passageways are home to a vibrant and profuse collection of student art, painted onto the walls over the years, as well as a number of communal student spaces.