International Shakedown

International House is facing its end while University Hall has the power to save it. By decreasing the excessively high rent it charges for the use of their building it can keep alive this foreign colony. Unless this is done International House will have to take its walking papers at the end of this year. But for this high rent there would be no question about its continued existence.

For three years International House has been forced to pay the exorbitant rent of $1800 per year. This has not included the added expenses of steam heat, gas, or even drinking water. For the past three years Brooks House has come to its rescue by paying part of the yearly deficit. But after loaning $1400 Brooks House has reached the limit of its financial sympathy. Only an outright rental reduction can keep its protege from the coroner's grasp. It is paradoxical that college students should have to fight their University to maintain their living quarters. Students should be able to expect full cooperation from College authorities in finding housing accommodations. A modern university owes its domestic and foreign students alike certain minimum lodging facilities.

The Pan American dance last Friday was a full-scale attempt to aid the International House. Not enough paying guests attended to make the affair a financial success, although South American diplomats showed up in batches. Brooks House suffered a substantial loss and this seems to have put an end to any charitable help outside the University solving the foreign student's problem.

As an experiment in international living this House demands University support. It is notably the only center for foreign students in the College. And aside from its uniqueness, it has built up to a large degree the same kind of congeniality that is found in the Houses. That the University makes almost clear profit from the rental is only further evidence for a reduction. From the point of view of good business alone the University ought to be more lenient since it will get more from a going concern than from an empty building.