Elizabeth M. Lewis '01, a prefect in Matthews Hall South, was inspired as a first-year by one of her own prefects in Matthews to join the program. Little did she know the commitment would result in a toga party with the University's President.

This Monday Lewis, (the daughter of Dean Harry R. Lewis '68) says her proctor group invited President Neil L. Rudenstine to a study break with a toga theme. Rudenstine not only showed up, but to the group's collective surprise the President also donned a toga and mingled with students for the duration of the gathering.

"It was great to see him mingling with the students," Lewis says.

From lending a helping hand to holding toga-theme study breaks, prefects have a noticeable presence on campus. Entering its thirteenth year, the Prefect Program has tried to ease first-years into life at Harvard while reducing the gulf between returning students and newcomers to the Yard. Administrators call the Prefect Program a link between College advising and the student experience.

"The prefects are a crucial support to both proctors and first-year students, helping support the programming that proctors do in their entries and playing a key role in helping students adjust to the nonacademic side of life at Harvard," Elizabeth Studley Nathans, Dean of freshmen, says in a recent e-mail.

According to the Prefect Program Handbook, the program was launched because undergraduates believed "first-year students would benefit from more contact with upperclassmen."

Although time conflicts and increasing workloads are obstacles to active service, most first-year students see prefects as a reliable resource for campus information.

"Having the prefects there if you don't have anyone else to talk to I think is really important," says Jesse G. Zalatan '02 of Greys Hall East.

As the program approaches its 15th birthday, most students agree that prefects are an important part of the first-year experience. Especially when it comes to scheduling and getting used to life in an entryway.

"It's nice to be able to have upperclassmen to talk to about classes or dorm life," Zalatan says.

Student descriptions of prefects and their effectiveness often vary. Some view the prefects as resources for information and access to the world of Houses, while others simply enjoy the weekly free food at study breaks.

"They kind of serve as role models and provide entertainment to freshmen," said Jondou J. Chen '02 a resident of Strauss Hall.

"They've been leaders for us and given us advice," says Michael P. Tully '02 who lives in Matthews Hall North. "They're like big brothers and sisters."

Prefects say they believe the relationship is symbiotic, with both first years and their upperclass counterparts benefiting from the program.

"It's actually very refreshing as a senior to get to know freshmen," says Tally Zingher '99, a prefect in Grays Hall.