Mather Opens

Students living in Mather House face irksome problems and genuine indignities as they continue to pile into what Alwin M. Pappenheimer, Master of Dunster House, once called "that apartment house next door."

Their personal belongings conglomerating in living rooms and cluttering the long, winding hallways, the men of Mather are settling in with the harsh reality that their dining hall, library, common rooms, and House offices are at least a month away.

Despite rumors to the contrary, refrigerators will not be provided for student suites, and HSA has no more to rent. Lighting in bedrooms and living rooms has not yet been affixed, there are no mirrors in bathrooms, and doors of many toilet stalls do not fit shut. Soundproofing is non-existent, and there is not a single telephone in the entire building.

Almost 140 men have moved to Mather so far, and 100 more should arrive in the next few days. An additional 150 men will move in with the completion of the 20-story tower in September.

"But Mather already has a permanent woman population," said one student. "After a while, it's going to bug me to hear all those bouncing bedsprings,"

Another student pointed the elaborate fire-prevention in Mather contrasts with that of soundproofing. Fire doors placed at frequent intervals in the hall are held against the walls with electromagnets.

When the fire alarm sounds the magnetic currents stops, and the fire door closes to block the hall and confine the flames. It is therefore unlikely that Mather House will burn down.