Patchwork Proposal

Pressed by overcrowding and goaded by visions of hundreds of "war babies" to soon throng into the College, the Housemasters will meet in the coming few weeks to consider expansion of present housing facilities. Among the proposals before them will be plans for a new-House or Houses, and for the addition of extra units to Winthrop and Leverett. The first proposal is the most realistic solution to the problem, for the latter will neither provide for future expansion nor adequately relieve present congestion.

The additions suggested would not be bad in themselves. A building connecting the two halves of Winthrop House could have an excellent influence on House unity, while an extra wing would bring Leverett, presently the smallest House, nearer the size of the others. But no matter how much success addition-building might have in certain Houses, it is not the sort of program the administration can extend throughout the House system. While they might expand Winthrop and Leverett, and possibly even Adams--were Claverly added to it--nevertheless, Eliot, Lowell, Dunster, and Kirkland could never be enlarged. Postponing construction of additional houses with reasonably desirable, but insufficient measures of this sort is ill-advised.

Even if land for individual House expansion were available, it would be considerably less expensive to build one big building at one time. Further, the administration would have better success with one concentrated fund drive than with several smaller ones for the proposed House additions.

The Houses can never really fulfill the ideals of Presidents Lowell and Pusey as intellectual communities until they are nearer their intended size. Only an increased number of houses, not petty patchwork on the present system, can reduce congestion. When they meet next week, the Masters should decide to recommend construction of a new house as soon as funds can be raised.