Radcliffe Will Change Gallic House in Fall

Radcliffe's only French - speaking dormitory will not be continued next year.

Miss Emily B. Lacey, dean of Residence, cited lack of student interest as the reason for the reconversion of Saville, this year's French House, to a regular off-campus dormitory. The French House was started last year in response to students' petitions.

Miss Mary C. Lyon, graduate student in Romance Languages, will continue as head resident. "We want girls who are really interested in practicing their French to be able to do so," Miss Lacey said.

Rooms Chosen Regularly

Next year's residents will be chosen on the basis of regular room preference cards, Miss Lacey said. Rooms are assigned by numbers, drawn from a hat, and priority for places in dorms is given according to seniority.

It was announced earlier this spring that the French House would continue only if enough girls requested it on their preference cards. Saville House has room for 17 girls.

Most members of the French House did not feel that it had been a success. Eleven girls now in it applied for rooms in Saville House next year, but nine asked that it be changed back to a regular dormitory. The rules now prohibit any language but French in the dormitory.

Rule Has broken Down

"The French speaking rule broke down gradually during the year," Miss Lyon said. "Most of the girls are not taking courses in French, and since they spend very little time in the dorm, they have too few occasions to practice it."

Another reason for the French House's failure, Miss Lyons said, was that girls usually do not speak French with callers or on the telephone. "It would probably be better in a more isolated woman's college," she said.