Quad Receives New Athletic Equipment

The University agreed earlier this month to supply each of the three Quad Houses with $500 worth of athletic equipment and to give Quad residents a higher priority in using campus athletic facilities to compensate for the closing of the Quadrangle Recreational Athletic Center (Q-RAC) since September.

The actions came in response to proposals solicited in November from the House Committee Chairmen in North, South, and Currier Houses, Dean of Housing Thomas A. Dingman '67 said yesterday.

Dingman added that the total of $1500 in grants--which Currier Chairman Alan A. Khazei '83 said will be spent for the purchase or repair of pool tables, ping pong tables, and exercise equipment--will be financed from Q-RAC's unused maintenance and staffing budgets. Each House had requested a stipend of $750.

Q-RAC closed this fall because of heavy damage to racquetball and squash courts caused by water leakage. President Horner opened the main gym on Dec. 2, but the damaged courts remain under repair.

In addition to the grants, the University has allowed Quad residents additional privileges at the Linden St. squash courts and moved portable weight equipment from Q-RAC into new exercise rooms in Currier and North Houses. Also, the Q-RAC tennis courts may be surfaced for ice skating later in the winter.

Quad residents yesterday lauded Harvard's concessions, but said they plan to seek further compensation.

"The University has been very responsive and shown adequate concern," Khazei said. "I'm very pleased that we've gotten this much."

But he continued that he will still press for additional shuttle bus service on weekends, saying that the Q-RAC's closing "reinforced that need."

James Polsfut '83, president of the house committee at North House, also praised Dingman for "positively" responding to the situation.

"He's at least showing students at the Quad that he realizes it [the closing of the Q-RAC] is an unfortunate inconvenience," he said, adding that Radcliffe and President Horner, in contrast, "seemed to be deadlocked."

Horner was out of town yesterday and unavailable for comment.

Polsfut and Khazei said they are adamant in their desire to see the facility completely opened by spring, and said that they will seek additional financial compensation for their Houses while parts of Q-RAC remain closed