Although 2000 participated in the melee, and not just students, Downes says. "I don't think there was any real vandalism in that riot." Eight students were arrested.

The Class of 1935's freshman yes was also memorable for the inauguration of the now-families pattern of spending freshman year it Harvard Yard, then living at a House for the next three years.

Most students welcomed the inceptions of the Houses, which were, it Hallett's words, "spanking new."

"Apart from the dormitories," says Downes, "the only other meeting place was the Freshman Union. The House dining balls were a very good way to exchange ideas and meet people."

"The contact I had with Harvard professors was mostly over mealtime at Dunster House," says Birge.

But others found the Harvard Houses to be less tight-knit than the English ones on which they were based.

"Houses weren't really a close thing," Downes says. "I think the [final] clubs interfered with the House plan a great deal."

Still others felt the pioneer spirit.

"A bunch of as were invited to join a fraternity after we moved into Lowell House," says Dower "But we didn't--we felt we had an obligation to make the House system work.