Freshmen will have a late-hour study room in Memorial Hall basement immediately after Christmas Vacation, Provost Buck announced yesterday.

The Provost a announcement followed agitation by 500 freshmen petitioners, the Union Committee, and the Student Council. All insisted that facilities after Lamont's 9.45 p.m. closing hour are inadequate.

Buck said the basement study room, originally intended for Radcliffe students, will be used on an "emergency basis" until June. In the meantime, Buck said he hopes library and administrative officials can arrive at a permanent solution to the freshman late-hour study problem.

Closing Hour Not Set

Officials will decide next week just how long the room will remain open. Since Lamont closes at 9:45 p.m., it is presumed that the basement hall will not close until several hours later.

Opened after the inauguration of Harvard-Radcliffe joint instruction in 1947, the room was intended to provide study facilities for Radcliffe students between classes. Dubbed the "Radcliffe Sanctuary," it has all the accomodations of a standard library--except books.

Buck said that Radcliffe students can still use the room. Even with the freshmen, he does not expect crowding since most Yardlings will probably use Lamont until closing time.

McNiff Cites Cost

The 500 freshmen petitioners requested last month that Lamont remain open several additional hours. House libraries, they argued, are open until mid-night. But Lamont Librarian Philip J. McNiff countered, saying "the additional hours would cost the College $30,000."

Shortly thereafter, the Union Committee suggested opening of the basement of either Memorial Church or the Union for after-Lamont studying.