You’ve been Housed

According to a spoof rap by one freshman—apparently an aspiring musician—blocking “may be hazardous to your health.” Bemoaning the trials of blocking, he raps that “alliances are lined up/hard makin’ your mind up/who you goin’ to give the next three years of your life up.” “Mary J. Blige couldn’t handle all the drama we done,” he swears.

As of 8:30 a.m. on this March morning, some invisible electronic hand decided the fates of the Class of 2009. Well, not exactly. But a big part of their lives at Harvard—where they will live for the next three years—is now official.

Since its advent in 1995 in the wake of housing randomization, blocking has occupied a major slice of the scramble of freshmen year at Harvard. Some tight cliques form blocking groups in September, while other groups are a mish-mash of frightened freshmen who come together at the last moment in order to avoid lonely floater-status.

But while blocking and House placements may seem traumatic at the time, it all works out in the end. The people who are going to stay friends will stay friends regardless of their housing assignments and blocking groups, and most students will learn to love their Houses and geographies.

This year, the College introduced neighborhood blocking. Blocking groups were able to link with other groups to ensure that the two would be in nearby houses. The innovation is a clever way to prevent the Quad-River split between friends in different blocking groups that so many first-years fear, and it addresses the needs of friends who are close, but not quite close enough to enter the House lottery together. Thanks to linking, blocking this year has been a bit easier.

This morning, the trials of blocking are over. Freshmen, your momentous day has arrived, and it’s time to get fired up. You just got housed.

Whether you’ve been plopped down by the Square, sent northwest to the frontier that is the Quad or exiled to the far east that is Mather and Dunster, today, you’ve been blessed with a home. You may not be in the House of your dreams—the House that hot upperclassman you’ve been spying on lives in, or the House that’s closest to your favorite coffee shop—but a House is better than no House. You are no longer the houseless freshman you were yesterday.

Besides, every House at Harvard has its pros and cons—a good rap and a bad rap—and part of becoming a member is embracing the quirks. Today, as you celebrate your placement, enthusiasm is key.

And don’t stop today. This spring, take advantage of the resources your House has to offer. Meet upperclassmen and the other freshmen in your House, attend advising sessions and spring formals, eat a random meal there with your blocking group—do whatever you can to get involved in residential life at your House. The sooner you make your House your home, the happier you will be.

And today, scream loudly in Annenberg, and wail your cheers for House pride. Venture out of the Yard to tour your new home. And make a good impression on your older housemates—no one likes a party pooper, so don’t act dejected at your housing assignment.

Embrace your new House. And don’t go overboard at your first stein club tonight.