Council Gives House Grants

House Committee chairs yesterday applauded an $8600 Undergraduate Council grant to finance capital improvements in the houses.

For the first time ever, the council allocated part of its budget surplus to fund the house improvements. In the past, the surplus has been carried to the next year's budget, said Jennifer W. Grove '94, co-char of last year's residential committee.

Council officials earmarked the money for the purchase of items that are "durable, non-depletable and available for use by the whole House."

The council grant will fund up to $750 in capital improvements in each house.

Council officers said they do not know the size of council's budget, because they have not seen the organization's financial statements.

David L. Duncan '93, co-char of last year's council Residential Committee, said committee members based the decision to provide funds to the houses on conversations with the house committee chairs.

"The House Committee chairs had lots of things they wished to buy but couldn't afford," Duncan said.

The council draws its funds entirely from the undergraduate body. Approximately $20 from each student's term bill is allocated to the council, unless the student requests a refund.

North House Committee Chair Julie E. Foster '93 said her committee plans to purchase a fax machine with its money.

"It is a great help to students applying to grad schools and jobs," Foster said.

Winthrop House Committee Chair Eric R. Columbus '93 said his house will use its funds to improve its crew team's performance. He said Winthrop had purchased an ergometer and fiberglass oars.

"We felt that our house crew was currently at a competitive disadvantage with outdated oars," Columbus said. "Since dozens of Winthrop students reap the benefits of this character-building institution, we tried to channel some funds this way."

Kirkland House also bought equipment for its crew team.

Eliot and Leverett House purchased patio furniture . Lowell and Currier Houses bought televisions, and Cabot House procured new carpeting and furniture for its Junior Common Room. Mather and Quincy Houses purchased exercise equipment.

Adams House used their funds toward the purchase of street hockey equipment, a slide, a CD player and two "Foo dogs"-replicas of ancient Oriental sculptures. The $700 pair of dogs will be displayed on special occasions, such as President Neil L. Rudenstine's visit there next week, according to House Committee Chair David L. McMahon '94.

Dunster House did not submit a capital improvement application before thedeadline and will not receive funds. The councilmay reconsider Dunster's application, councilmembers said.

Dunster House Committee Chair Natalie T. Boutin'94 said house residents are upset about missingthe deadline. Boutin does not blame any one forthe oversight.

"The people in the house have expressed majordiscontentment about it," she said. "I hope thehouses which were not able to participate will beallowed to participate this year."

But Boutin also said she supports the council'sfunding of house improvements. "I think it wouldbe really good if the UC would spend more money onthe houses to improve the quality of student liferather than planning campuswide events which aredoomed to fail," she said

Dunster House Committee Chair Natalie T. Boutin'94 said house residents are upset about missingthe deadline. Boutin does not blame any one forthe oversight.

"The people in the house have expressed majordiscontentment about it," she said. "I hope thehouses which were not able to participate will beallowed to participate this year."

But Boutin also said she supports the council'sfunding of house improvements. "I think it wouldbe really good if the UC would spend more money onthe houses to improve the quality of student liferather than planning campuswide events which aredoomed to fail," she said