Duesmanship

During the past eight weeks many Harvard undergraduates have answered knocks at their doors and greeted rather embarrassed House Committee members requesting the contribution of "House dues." The solicitors' embarrassment was probably due to their having to request voluntary payment for the maintenance of facilities which House inmates know they can, and feel they should enjoy at no extra cost.

Pool and ping-pong tables, bicycle racks, uniforms, pianos, and many other things which keep a House from being a mere dormitory and dining room are maintained and often provided by its House Committee. Most members take this equipment for granted, as they have been led to do by the general promise of the House system. Yet only part of its cost is absorbed in House budgets. House Committees must seek the rest in voluntary contributions.

Thus arises the hypocritical term, "House dues." Rather than associate their efforts with those of the Combined Charities Drive, the Committees have a number of so-called "membership" cards printed. For two dollars, anyone who already must eat and sleep there may also become a member of his House. He is free, however, not to pay, and the only privileges he forfeits are possession of the card and entrance to a few free functions sponsored by the Committee. The unfortunate House Committeeman is left with no apology for his presence except the exhortation that contributing is "a nice thing to do."

The blame for this situation must rest on the College and House administrations, which have come to assume that the Committees will bear part of the financial burden. If certain facilities, in addition to bed, board, and plumbing, are important for House living, their cost should be met by University funds rather than by donation. Meanwhile, House Committees must resort to begging until provided other income for their work.