That system was extremely unpopular, according to Fox.

"Not many got their first choice, but plenty got their tenth or eleventh," he said. "They lived exactly where they didn't want to," In 1977, Fox, who was then dean of the College, implemented an ordered four choice system.

In 1990, the College went to its current non-ordered four-choice system.

The issue arose again last September after an FAS report advocated randomization. The report on the Structure of Harvard College was co-authored by McKay professor of '67, who will become dean of the College on July 1, and Administrative Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Nancy L. Maull.

Divided on Diversity

As students and faculty prepare their respective positions of randomization, the issue of campus diversity and the appropriateness of mandated diversity threatens to further divide the campus.

Some students say they would like to see house populations that better reflect the diverse composition of the College as a whole, but they add that they do not think that the University can engineer diversity.

"I do think that diversity is important," said Neda Ratanawongsa '96, co-chair of the Leverett House Committee. "I don't know that you can really force it upon people,"

Other students say they like being able to live in groups of people with similar interests and backgrounds.

"I think a lot of people just tend to have more things in common with people who are culturally similar," said Adrienne R.W. Bradley '96, vice-chair of the North House Committee.

And other students want to preserve the "character" of their houses.

"It's important that people have an environment they like," said Andre P. Rubin '97, a resident of Adams House.

But many administrators say that self-grouping has gone on for too long.

As a result of his work on the Standing Committee on Athletics, Shingel says he saw that a high number of athletes live in a few houses. Randomization will stop that kind of "ghettoization," he said.

A recent poll by the Undergraduate Council showed that 82 percent of students are against randomization. At the same time, however, 37 percent feel there is a greater need or diversity in the houses.