THE HOUSES IN OPERATION: LEVERETT

Leverett is one of the less well known Houses. It labors under the handicap of a building which is not altogether new. McKinlock Hall, the old Freshman Dormitory, was combined with the newly constructed Mather to complete the unit. But despite this Leverett maintains an attractive and congenial atmosphere. The public rooms are large and graceful with an air of comfortable informality. In decorating the dining room, one of the handsomest features of the House Plan, the architects made skilful use of two circles, of unequal size, and an oval, to conceal through optical illusion the fact that the room, following the plot of ground on which it is built, is a trapezoid. The Junior Common Room, while too small for any large House function, offers a pleasant gathering place for after dinner coffee and the various talks which have been given. Set apart from the students is the Senior Common room which justifies its existence as a cloak room for the Tutors.

The Library has been refashioned from the old McKinlock dining room, and is most satisfactory with its large fire place, pegged book cases, and comfortable chairs. The outstanding collection of books is, quite naturally, of American literature, reflecting the chief scholastic interest of the Master, Mr. Murdock. English Literature is a close second, and the other fields are amply covered. For the tired student there is a beautiful well-bound edition of the collected works of P. G. Wodehouse.

Six homely squash courts complete the physical facilities of the House. They serve the dual purpose of affording exercise and screening in modest fashion the execrable frame houses with their clothes lines that form a bleachers for the Mather courtyard.

In the matter of Tutors Leverett perhaps is not as well equipped as some of the other Houses. While there are representatives from a wide number of helds their influence is not widely felt. The Tutors' table seems a too convenient refuge from the students, who receive little attention outside of conference. This segregation may be broken down in time when the Tutors and undergraduates have had the opportunity to become better acquainted with one another, but at the moment one of the fundamental purposes of the House Plan has been lost from sight.

The personnel of the students is more a horizontal than a vertical section of the College. A social class rather than a group of individuals seems to dominate the House. As a result there is nothing striking about the community or the part which it plays in the life of the College save perhaps its quiet self sufficiency.

Entertainment for the students is offered in various ways. Early in the fall the appearance of Mr. H. G. Wells was more a triumph for Leverett House than for the undergraduates themselves who could obtain no very adequate opinion of him in the brief minutes of personal conversation they were allowed. The House Dinners which occur about once a week in themselves contribute little to the members' enjoyment or instruction, although the speeches which follow have been generally good. In addition to this there have been informal talks in the common room by various professors after small dinners attended by the speakers and invited students. This is the most successful method of entertainment that has been provided. Several Tea Dances have been given after football games and a large formal dance is now being planned with Adams House before the Easter vacation. Since Leverett is one of the smaller units, accommodating only two hundred and thirty-seven students, co-operation with Adams House for the dance is most convenient.

There has been some criticism that Leverett is overorganized; this is not true, although the various House Notices may seem to support the argument. A House Committee, whose real purpose is not altogether clear, does exist. It canvassed the members for a House Fund which, after two relatively unsuccessful attempts, was abandoned without further effort. The two tangible results of its activity are a radio and a ping pong table, but as a rule the Committee is more honored in the breach than in the observance. The students themselves have had a large hand in whatever functions have been proposed, without any interference from the Master. The various dances have been arranged by the members who have deemed such diversions advisable. The only affairs which are organized without the consent or instigation of the students are the House Dinners.

There remains one further feature which is unique to Leverett House. A Victrola has been obtained, supplemented by a fine library of records which are at the disposal of any member of the House. These records are drawn out of the Library and may be taken over to a special room in which the instrument is kept. This room is one of a large suite of guest rooms which are reserved for the male guests of any member of the House.

In summary it may be said that Leverett is a most comfortable and congenial place in which to live. There are no exacting requirements, no special obligations. The whole atmosphere set by the Master and Tutors as well as by the students, is one of laissez faire, which, to some extent, reduces Leverett to a hall where one can eat, sleep, and study. The individual is more free than in some other Houses and can gravitate to his own level, without external compulsion. The future development of the House is therefore likely to be at least unconstrained. At present it provides a pleasant recess where the individual can be conspicuous or obscure as he desires.