You might see them eating in the dining hall once every chicken teriyaki, and many of them make a mean cheesecake. But what do the masters of Harvard's 12 upperclass Houses do on a daily basis?

In their own minds, the role of master is not as clearly defined as other administrative positions on campus, and each couple has a slightly different conception of the post.

Quincy House Master Michael Shinagel says he serves as "the skipper of a major cruise ship." Cabot House Master James H. Ware says he feels like "the mayor of a small town."

And as each House has its own architecture, each set of masters has its own style; some choose to foster student initiatives, while others focus on improving the House's physical resources.

Even with the controversial decision of randomization soon to be reevaluated, and the imminent retirement of two of the Houses' longest standing masters, this distinguished group is taking change in stride. The show must go on.

What exactly does go on behind the ivory curtain separating the walnut panels of the masters' residences from the postered walls of student rooms?

What is it like to be master of the House?

More Than An Occasional Tea

A master's role is part-administrative, part-ceremonial.

When there is a tutor to hire, a letter of recommendation to write or a seminar to approve, the master is in the House.

"It's a question of dealing with roommate issues, and space and open houses--and who can pick up the kegs because no one's delivering," quips Eliot House Co-Master Kristine L. Forsgard.

However, many agree that mastering involves an often-imbalanced use of their time.

"We spend 90 percent of the time on 10 percent of the students," says Stephen A. Mitchell, master of Eliot House, recalling the adage of a former colleague in Pforzheimer--then North--House.

When planning events in the House, masters cantake varied approaches--from pro-active todetached.

"The students make or break life in the House,"says Dunster House Master Karel F. Liem. "I cancatalyze what the students are trying to do. I canencourage them. I can help them financially. [Butin the past] if I tried to do something on my own,it invariably failed."

Liem cites his "Works-in-Progress" program,which incorporates Senior Common Room members intoa mealtime lecture series in Dunster, as a "greatidea--I thought."