Lowell, Noted for Individuality, Has Outstanding House Athletic Record

This is the seventh and last of a series of articles on the Houses written by House Committee Chairmen for the benefit of Freshmen planning to enter Houses. The articles were printed in the order they were received.

Conspicuous both for its lofty blue tower and for its central location, as well as notorious for its cacophonous collection of bells, (they are played but once a month) Lowell House was one of the three new units built in 1930 to complete the present House Plan. Physically it is a beautiful example of Georgian architecture; and the quiet beauty of its two courts is made all the greater by contrast with the noise and confusion which holds forth without its walls.

The reigning spirit of Lowell House has always been individuality. Within the short space of seven years, and even though there is a Central Committee to keep the Houses uniform, the active minds of Professor Coolidge, our master, and the other leading lights of the House have daringly and successfully developed institutions and traditions which have given Lowell a unique place in the College. Even three years ago Time Magazine singled out Lowell House to stamp it "prematurely hoary."

One of the purposes of the House plan was to make a place of residence for the undergraduate where he might have the opportunity to enjoy a fuller college life than merely eating, sleeping, and studying. All of the Houses have solved this problem to a certain degree. Here at Lowell everyone will find as ambitious an extra-curricular life as he desires. The Bellboys have not built up the reputation of being a house of athletes, but their teams have always been among the best in the College; and they have maintained posession of the Straus all-sports trophy ever since it was given, two years ago. This apparent athletic prowess is not due to a few stars; but to the fact that all those who so desire can find some team to play on. Then there are the various House tournaments which create a great deal of interest. The music lover will find the House Glee Club more than welcome to receive him if he wants to sing; and he will soon discover that the collection of classical records in the library is the largest of any in the University. The dramatist can find a chance for emoting in the House play, the editorially minded may want to use the Chronicle to relieve his over-burdened brain, while the budding young scientist can feel free to propound whatever theories he wishes in the Lowell House Scientific Society meetings. Perhaps there will be found future Walter Lippmanns among the members of the House Social Science Club.

Among the more social institutions, the House dances will be found as a welcome relief to the more serious side of life. Thanks to enterprising men on previous dance committees, Lowell House dances have established a reputation of being among the best in the College. Other pleasant social customs are the High Tables on every Monday night (when the High Table was first suggested it became the butt of many cartoons in the local publications; but now it is copied by every other House), the annual Lowell Birthday dinner, and the Spring party for the parents.

Yet when one tires of the company of his fellow man and desires to study or meditate, he finds that the comparative isolation of his own room makes for this. He will not have a whole group of room-mates rushing in, nor will the tramp of many feet along the hall disturb him, for all of the rooms are singles or doubles and there are never more than four rooms on one floor of an entry.

The library is quite adequate for all of the demands made by both courses and tutors, and contains considerable light reading. There are competent tutors in English, Classics, Romance Languages, History, Government, Economics, Mathematics, Fine Arts, and Biology.

In closing, the House Committee expresses the desire to meet anyone who wishes further information about Lowell. For convenience, members of the Committee will be in Lowell R-11 to talk the problem over with any Freshman during the same hours as the conferences with the tutors.