Housing Day
House Committee Chairs Push Back as Administrators Weigh Housing Day on Good Friday
Harvard College administrators are considering placing Housing Day on the Friday after spring break this year, according to a House Committee chair, putting it on March 26 — the same day as the Christian holiday of Good Friday.
‘Scarier Than College Admissions’: Freshmen Celebrate Annual Housing Day Tradition
Freshmen described a mix of anxiety, confusion, and elation during Housing Day as dorm-storming upperclassmen and pranks culminated in the reveal of their assigned Houses.
In Photos: Housing Day 2026
On Friday morning, Harvard Yard was crowded with students from the College’s 12 Houses with costumes, posters, and house spirit to celebrate Housing Day. An annual tradition where upperclassmen welcome freshmen into their randomly assigned house for the next three years.
‘It’s Going To Feel Different’: Harvard Upperclassmen Wary of Decision to Move Back Housing Day
Harvard students said the College’s decision to move Housing Day to the Friday after spring break could disrupt a beloved undergraduate celebration — but was unlikely to “make or break” the excitement of being assigned to an upperclassman House.
Housing Day To Be Held Friday After Spring Recess in Break From Tradition
Harvard College will hold Housing Day on the Friday following spring break in 2025 — pushing back the annual festivities more than a week past their traditional date on the Thursday before break.
‘Feels Like Christmas’: Freshmen Revel in Annual Housing Day Festivities
Freshman received their house assignments Thursday as part of Housing Day 2025. One freshman described River Run as “Halloween” and Housing Day as “Christmas.”
‘Warm Welcomes and Open Arms’: Students Show Off House Pride with Housing Day Videos
Housing Day videos, an annual tradition spanning back to 2009, are an opportunity to showcase “House spirit” — while “dissing on the other Houses too.”
Housing Market 2025 is Here!
Your favorite real estate agents are back in business! If you're looking for the stats on your future home on campus — or are an upperclassman looking to gloat — you're in luck; Flyby's compiled each House's quirks, amenities, and housing details for you to properly revel in the Housing Day spirit.
‘My Heart’s Broken’: Freshmen Fear Renovations, the Quad As Housing Day Approaches
Ahead of Housing Day on March 13, when first-year students are randomly assigned to one of the College’s 12 undergraduate houses, some students hope they do not get Eliot — which will be renovated over the next two years. Others expressed perennial worries about walks to Mather and the Quad.
HUA Wants To Increase Student Representation on the Ad Board
The Harvard Undergraduate Association is attempting to secure increased student representation on Harvard College’s Administrative Board, HUA officers announced at their first in-person meeting of the year on Sunday evening.
‘I’m So Blessed’: Freshmen Recount Housing Day, Revamped River Run
Despite accidentally breaking the laptop of a Lowell upperclassman during a River Run party the night before Housing Day, freshman Matthew M. Vu ’27 felt “blessed” on Thursday morning as he and his blockmates celebrated with dorm-storming Lowellians donning whistles, pompoms, beads, and bells.
What’s the Move? Navigating Harvard’s Lackluster Social Scene
In interviews with The Crimson, student group leaders, two top College administrators, and dozens of undergraduates tackled a difficult question: where is Harvard’s sense of fun?
Harvard Freshmen Will Have Swipe Access to Upperclassman Houses During ‘River Run,’ DSO Says
Freshman will have swipe access to upperclassman Houses this year during “River Run,” the Dean of Students Office wrote in a statement to The Crimson on Wednesday.
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.
Newstalk Episode 1: Inside Harvard Housing Day
Second Place, 2023 Associated Collegiate Press National Podcast of the Year.
Post-Housing Day Realizations
Housing Day is one of the most celebrated days at Harvard. It can be both exciting and stressful. After the stress of navigating blocking and linking groups, we scale walls and sneak around HUPD into each of the nine river houses, desperately trying to win the favor of the River Gods. Although there are many myths and preconceived notions about each house, here are my post housing day realizations.
‘Just Unconditional Happiness’: Annual Harvard College Housing Day Festivities Consume Campus
Freshmen woke up early Thursday morning to the sound of rowdy upperclassmen as they marched into Harvard Yard, waving signs and singing chants in celebration of Housing Day — an annual tradition where groups of freshmen are randomly assigned into one of the College’s 12 undergraduate houses.
Housing Day 2023
Upperclassmen gather in front of University Hall on Thursday morning before storming freshmen dorms to deliver housing lottery results.
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