DORMITORY SPIRIT

The CRIMSON has had called to its attention recently the success of the common-rooms which were fitted up in several of the College dormitories during the last year. In fact so general and enjoyable has their use become, with one or possibly two exceptions, that we see every reason for advocating their installation in several dormitories, such as Matthews and Grays, where no effectual attempt has been made to interest the College authorities in the matter. In the Senior dormitories, the conditions are peculiar and we doubt whether common-rooms are necessary. However that may be, we do feel that the occupants of Matthews and Grays have showed poor spirit and lack of enterprise in pushing an innovation which has not only proved successful in other buildings, but also an innovation which the Regent and other College officers have sought to encourage. We have spoken of the undeniable failure of the common-room in one building, and a partial explanation at least is easily made. Instead of throwing its door open to all who live in the building and depending upon voluntary subscriptions for support, it has been made a club to be entered only after the initiation fee has been paid.

Another suggestion about dormitory life--untimely perhaps, but one which might well be carried out next fall--has been made. And that is that it would be a courteous and neighborly act for the old members of a dormitory to entertain the newcomers in the building during the first week of College and so in the beginning establish a feeling of friendship and good-will. In short we agree with President Eliot that the dormitory is one of the most natural units for promoting good-fellowship and that the common-room has a value which we cannot afford to ignore.