But a few indications of business-as-usual appeared; the new Houghton Library for rare books was dedicated on February 28; the threatened death of the "Mole" in the Dick Tracy comic strip had brought residents of Adams House up in arms for his defense, bombarding Chester Gould with telegrams and letters; Clark Hodder, hockey coach, quit under fire, because of a training break he authorized at Lake Placid; and intercollegiate sports programs continued practically as usual.
Compulsory Athletics
This new Harvard consisted of sugar rationing, a flurry of bicycle sales, expanded plans for the summer term, announcements that Freshmen could enter in February and June, more A. R. P. drills, a new athletic plan, allowing Freshmen on Crimson varsities and moving the managerial hierarchy up one year, daily reports of revised requirements for commissions in the armed services, more professors heading out to Washington, and to top it all off, the compulsory athletic program.
Organizations like the Student Council, the CRIMSON, and Phillips Brooks House adjusted themselves to the new accelerated program, which had completely muddled the familiar four-year pattern.
On March 5, Cambridge blacked-out, and students saw to it that Harvard was "perfectly" darkened, according to Chief Air Raid Warden Aldrich Durant. Two months later came the dim-out, as the Square was grayed, and students were asked to draw their shades, to comply with the Army's orders.
Except for an occasional water-fight, spring was marked by the absence of the usual undergraduate pranks. Only one or two, such as the replacement of President Lowell's portrait with that of a "Goya girl," in Lowell House, provided contrast to the grim business-like atmosphere.
Mrs. Roosevelt, in a broadcast over the Crimson Network, urged students to remain in college, and the many deferment plans organized by the Navy and Army suggested to the undergraduates that college was the best place for them.
A colorful monster review of Harvard's armed might was held on May 11, and witnessed by high military officials from the neighboring First Corps Area, President Conant, Governor Saltonstall, and University dignitaries.
To take over the Yard, vacated by the moving of Freshmen to the Houses, the University revealed that Naval Radio Communications students will be barracked in the old dormitories.
Closing the year came the award of honorary degrees to the country's fight for freedom, and the graduation of another Harvard class, trained to step into its place in a nation at war.