If the average undergraduate is asked to name the Harvard house that begins with a "D," it's a good guess that the student will not name the fixture tucked away in the southwest corner of the Yard.

But Dudley House, located in Lehman Hall, is in fact one of Harvard's 13 upperclass houses--and one that boasts a different student population and atmoshphere than its counterparts.

Many undergraduates who want to live off campus or in the co-ops join with graduate students and other undergraduates returning from leaves of absence, making the Dudley environment a unique one.

On a campus full of houses emphasizing their diversity, Dudley has perhaps the most varied population of any. After all, what other house can boast a 37-year old senior as its student chair?

"Dudley's suppor facilities are geared toward the needs of non-residents," says Gordon M. Fauth '93, who co-chairs the Dudley House committee. "It has a long tradition of serving the different types of students who don't fit into the regular house scene."

And Curtis R. DeGraw '93, a father of three, says Dudley faithfuls are "not the mainstream students.

"It's great for somebody who doesn't feel comfortable or can't fend. tion in undergraduate house life," DeGraw says.

The wide variety of students in the house makes it difficult to stereotype Dudley.

"The house's orientation is geared entirely toward non-residents, and they've welcomed that warmly," says Thomas A. Dingman '67, the house's senior tutor.

But residents say the house's non-resident character does not inhibit a sense of community or feeling of belonging.

"The people there are wonderful," DeGraw says. "Because it is so small, they get a feel for you and you get a feel for them, even more so than in other houses."

The role of Dudley House, established in 1935 and officially recognized in 1958, "has changed over time," Dingman says.

Originally intended for undergraduate commuters who couldn't live on campus for financial or other reasons, Dudley House now serves 85 undergraduates who choose to live off campus or in Dudley Co-op, which consists of two Victorian buildings 10, minutes from the Science Center.

While the majority of Dudley House affiliates are graduate students, the undergraduates are a mix of married students, juniors and seniors returning from leaves of absence, and those seeking an alternative to residential house lite.

With the addition of undergraduate housing at 10 and 20 DeWolte Street in 1991. Harvard can now offer on-campus housing to undergraduate transfers.

At the same time, graduate students expressed "tremendous interest" in obtaining a center, Dingman says. In 1991. Dudley house began to serve as a center for the 2,700 students enrolled in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

"The transition has been great." Dingman says. "Undergrads like the location, as well as being with graduate students. The mix of graduate and undergraduate students has been great. Graduate students find under graduate company stimulating."

Students agree with Dingman's opinion, stressing the value of a mix of student backgrounds and academic affiliations.

"You can meet graduate students and faculty members on a social basis." Fauth says.

Dudley provides its students with "a very supportive network," says Lisa M. Wheeler '94.

In addition to its counseling services, Dudley also provides social and recreational activities on par with the residential houses.

Wheeler, who took four years off and previously lived in Lowell House, commends Dudley officials for offering recreational activities such as cabarets and dances.

Other Dudley facilities include a dining hall, where most students eat lunch, and a game room.

John D. Phillips '94, who took 12 years off and formerly lived in Dunster House, lauded the "intimate computer room" as an alternative to the Science Center. All Dudley residents also have access to its library facilities in Lehman Hall