House Life
Historic Heat Wave Reignites Debate About Lack of AC in Harvard Housing
As a heat wave descended on Cambridge, students living on campus sought relief from the scorching temperatures — just not in their dorm rooms.
Historic Bow & Arrow Press Will Move to Lamont Library Following Adams House Eviction
Bow & Arrow will be run by Houghton Library’s Printing and Graphic Arts department, though the library has not yet announced a timeline for when operations will begin.
‘A Guinea Pig’: Looking Back on Randomized Housing for the Class of 1999
For more than two decades, Harvard students were able to rank where they wanted to live for three years of college. But in 1995, Harvard’s administration decided it was time for a change.
‘Adjust on the Fly’: Harvard Undergrads Receive Diplomas at House Ceremonies Despite Rain and Protest
Whether they chose to participate in a pro-Palestine walkout or remain seated at the University-wide Commencement, undergraduates streamed to their residential Houses Thursday afternoon to officially receive their diplomas.
‘Crazy Times’: With Graduation Approaching, Seniors Reflect on Harvard Journey Bookended by Crisis
The Crimson spoke with dozens of seniors about their memories of a Covid-19-hued transition to college and how they reclaimed a vibrant student life amid four years bookended by crisis.
Bad Karma: How Anonymous Social Media Platform Sidechat Shapes Harvard Campus Politics
Though Sidechat is often a platform for much-needed levity and humor in moments of stress, many students have raised concerns about its effectiveness as a medium for political debates and propensity for spreading negativity.
Dilapidated Dorms: How Harvard Undergrads Cope with Run-Down Housing
Some students say they’ve grown accustomed to living with rodents and the occasional maintenance problem in dilapidated houses. But for others, housing problems raise broader concerns about how run-down living spaces may detract from quality of life at Harvard.
Harvard Prepares for Commencement Disruptions, Enlists Tutors as ‘De-Escalators’
The College enlisted a number of residential tutors across the 12 undergraduate Houses to serve as “de-escalators” during this week’s Commencement festivities as Harvard makes contingency plans for handling disruptive protests.
‘Tied to the People’: As Renovations Loom, Harvard Affiliates Say House Culture Will Persevere
Despite initial fears, alumni and affiliates who experienced living through past renovation projects expressed optimism surrounding House culture — saying that they were able to preserve their Houses’ long-standing traditions, culture, and spirit.
‘People Have Spoken’: Harvard Residential Advisors Vote Against Unionization
Both prospective units of the Harvard Union of Residential Advisors voted against unionization Wednesday, ending HURA’s year-long fight — including a two-months-long public campaign — to unionize Harvard’s residential tutors, proctors, and house aides.
Adams House Announces Climate Funding Program for Student Projects
Adams House, one of Harvard’s twelve upperclassmen houses, launched Adams Works on Climate earlier this month — a two-year program to fund climate projects led by Adams residents.
Harvard Residential Advisers Allege University Administrators Engaged in Union-Busting Tactics
Harvard Union of Residential Advisors organizers allege University administrators have engaged in “captive audience meetings” and anti-union messaging through emails to tutors, proctors, and house aides ahead of HURA’s union recognition elections.
‘Like a Horror Movie’: Freshmen Complain About Mice in Dorms
Though several freshmen said they have seen mice in their dorms since early last fall, many said they noticed an increase in recent weeks.
Harvard College Changes Freshman Advising Model, Assigns ‘Pre-Concentration Advisers’
The Harvard College Advising Programs Office rolled out significant changes to the first-year advising network, assigning incoming freshmen pre-concentration advisers during their first three semesters.
Monthslong ‘Putrid’ Odor in Winthrop Dining Hall Draws Student Complaints
A persistent odor in the Winthrop House dining hall has drawn student complaints and a range of speculated causes. Students described the smell as “putrid,” likening it to trash and sewage.
Task Forces on Antisemitism, Islamophobia Announce Listening Sessions for Harvard Undergraduates
Harvard’s dual presidential task forces to combat antisemitism and anti-Muslim and anti-Arab bias will hold a series of listening sessions for undergraduate students over the next two weeks, according to a Friday morning email from the Dean of Students Office.
‘Treat It Like a Lottery’: Interhouse Transfer Application Decisions Released
In the first round of fall interhouse transfer, 142 students applied, according to a spokesperson for the Housing Office.
Following Uptick in Campus Respiratory Illnesses, Students Criticize Dorm Ventilation
Students in some of Harvard’s undergraduate dorms are pointing to issues with building ventilation systems as the cause for a surge of respiratory illness cases on campus last month.
As House Renewals Continue, Kirkland Residents Want Traditions But Fewer Rats
As the ongoing renovation of Harvard’s upperclassmen Houses shifts to River West, some Kirkland House residents said they want to preserve house traditions but lose the rats.
Harvard Proctors and Tutors Plan to Launch Unionization Push
Some Harvard residential tutors, proctors, and house aides are planning to publicly launch a campaign for unionization, an effort they have been quietly working towards since last spring.
Despite Rumors, Freshmen Swipe Access to Remain Restricted for River Run
Swipe access will remain unchanged for freshmen during “River Run” even as the First Year Experience and First Year Social Committee Offices will provide food trucks, a snack bar, and games at the Malkin Athletic Center to mark the informal college tradition.
A ‘Universal Harvard Experience’: Students Seek Love and Laughter Through Datamatch
Following Datamatch’s annual re-launch last Wednesday, thousands of Harvard students began to upload photos and input their zodiac signs and Myers-Briggs personality types into the student-run online matchmaking service.
‘Purely About Celebration’: Undergraduates Commemorate Black History Month
Harvard College students are celebrating Black History Month with a series of events thrown by undergraduate houses and affinity groups.
Initial Planning Underway for Eliot House Renovations
Initial planning for a renovation of Eliot House as part of Harvard’s House Renewal project began in January, according to a Saturday statement from Harvard spokesperson Jonathan Palumbo.
‘Through the Back Door’: Unrecognized Student Groups Meet Amid Club Freeze
In the wake of Harvard’s year-long pause on recognition of student organizations, undergraduates expressed frustration at having to start new clubs “through the back door.”