A Question of Balance

The current preferential lottery system was thrown into question last year by a study revealing significant differences across the Houses in the academic performance, athletic participation, and racial composition of residents. Dean of the College John B. Fox Jr. '59 voiced concern that some Houses fell short of the 'microcosm of the College" ideal envisioned for each House when the House system was founded in the early 1930s, and some administrators began talking about restructuring the housing assignment system.

Some officials spoke about distributing freshmen to Houses on a completely random basis. Others considered adopting Yale's system of "pre-assignment." which matches students with upperclass Houses even before they arrive for their first day of college.

But the only substantive result of last year's discussions were informal "recruiting' efforts by some House Masters to attract students with particular talents or backgrounds. The recruiting efforts had little apparent effect a follow-up study revealed almost identical demographic disparities. By this fall, the entire question of demographic balance had evaporated, in spite of the lingering gaps.

A year after the controversy, few House Masters say they have done more to attract freshmen than hold the usual number of parties and events during the two-week Open House period prior to the housing lottery.

"I think the great concern about demography is displaced," says Lowell House Master William H. Bossert '57, expressing widely shared concerns about "putting Labels" on certain groups of students. We want all kinds of good people," he adds.

"Some of us think that some things could be done while others are afraid of any changes at all," says Currier House Master Dudley R. Hershbach. He adds that the Masters might be willing to agree on something "if something comes up with a good idea."

The diversity issue has taken a back seat this year to more pressing concerns. For says, explaining that the Faculty Council--the Faculty's advisory steering group--was scheduled to touch upon the issue sometime this spring. But Hershbach, a member of the Council, said he was skeptical that the diversity among the Houses would reach the top of that body's agenda this year, primarily because of the seemingly subdued interest in administrative ranks.

In the meantime, says Assistants Dean for Housing Thomas A. Dingman '67. "Some Masters have continued with voluntary efforts to balance their own populations more successfully." Dingman refuses to give specifies, but other officials have indicated that another study will be done this spring to determine whether this year's lottery significantly altered the makeup of the Houses.

Few officials speculated as to when and whether substantive changes in the lottery might occur, but Fox says the issue is unlikely to go away entirely. "I'm one of those people not entirely content with the present system," he says. "I'm wondering if there are some solutions we haven't considered yet."