It's late night in Leverett, and there's soda a-plenty. In a move welcomed by students and masters alike, Leverett House inaugurated late-night dining hall service yesterday with a special celebration, following the lead of Winthrop and Lowell Houses, which also offer late-night beverages.

The new hours, which will keep the dining hall open until midnight from Sunday through Thursday, are a change "done on an experimental basis," Leverett Master Howard Georgi '68 wrote in an e-mail message to the House.

The 8 p.m. gathering in the Leverett Dining Hall, held in lieu of the biweekly Master's Open House, celebrated the change with balloons, music, pastries and "monkey bread"--a Leverett tradition.

About 50 people were present at a time to mingle, eat and hear Georgi's short speech, which urged students to respect their new freedom and to treat dining service workers as part of the House.

Most students expressed positive reactions to the change, but some said they were concerned that the privilege might not be respected.

"I think it's a good idea--for study purposes and for hanging out, but I hope people don't abuse it," said a Leverett junior who asked that her name not be used.

However, David B. Friedland '99-'00 said he doubted students would abuse their new privilege.

"We're old enough that we don't need supervision, I hope," he said. "I think the benefits outweigh the question of negatives."

Disadvantages include the added expense of keeping soda machines running for extra hours. Co-Master Ann B. Georgi said the expense will be covered by both the House Committee and master's budgets. Matthew E. Smith '99, president of the Leverett HouseCommittee, confirmed this.

Friedland said he thinks the change will keepLeverett students indoors on weekday nights.

"I think Tommy's [House of Pizza] will be theone most affected by the dining hall's beingopen," he said.

Students said they saw reasons besides freebeverage to use the dining hall during late hours.

"The dining hall is nice, warm [and] has goodlight--very conducive for a studious atmosphere,"said Alvin I. McCottry '00.

One junior, who asked that her name not beprinted, said the dining hall would offer anotherchoice for a place to "hang out or study."

Others said they predicted a greater sense ofhouse community.

Much of the credit for the change was given tothe Georgis, who are affectionately called "chief"and "coach" by their students. While continuinghouse customs, such as "monkey bread," the pairhas also been active in hearing and reacting tostudent voices in the house, Leverett studentssaid.

"Whenever we talked to students, this was theissue that came up most often," Howard Georgisaid.

Isabel E. Beerman '00, co-chair of LeverettHouse Committee, spoke on behalf of the committee.

"We're very excited and very grateful that themasters and dining hall staff have provided thisaccess to the dining hall," she said.

Leverett House dining hall manager, MaureenJohannessen, refused to comment on the new hours