While most of Harvard returns home for the holidays, a few intrepid souls will hold the fort and spend the vacation on campus, despite the prospects of poor heating in the dorms and scarcity of food.

For many of those remaining here, shortages of necessities are not accompanied by a paucity of things to occupy time. Many say they wish to maximize the utility of their time spent away from home.

Valerie A. Edmondson '00-'01 will spend her two weeks in Quincy House.

"I want to paint, and it would be too much of a hassle to pack all the paint and canvas to go home," Edmondson said.

Simon L. Sternin '01, a supervisor for the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter, explains his reluctance to leave: "My parents live in Burma, and I'm also a senior working on my thesis," Sternin said.

In addition to academic tasks, Sternin will also spend time at the shelter.

"I'll be doing a lot more shifts because most of our volunteers leave," Sternin said. "I think it's a great experience because you get to share the holiday season with a lot of guests. It's a rewarding experience because you can learn so much from the others, especially because they have no place to go."

Another supervisor at the shelter, Dominika L. Seidman '03, will spend four nights there.

Said Seidman, "I really enjoy it. There definitely is a sense of community you don't get at home."

A resident of Milton, Mass., she will spend Christmas at her proximal home.

For those remaining for the duration of the break, they must endure several nights of subnormal temperatures.

According to an e-mail message sent to residents of Adams House, heating will be reduced, and temperature in the dorms will be around 60 degrees. Several members of Adams House sent out requests for space heaters over the House e-mail list within minutes.

Edmondson said that such policies do not properly accommodate international students with homes far away, financially burdened pupils who cannot afford travel expenses, or the studious who prefer to productively pass the vacation.

Said Edmondson, "I think there's enough money being wasted and they shouldn't cut corners by cutting heating in student rooms."

Beyond frigid domiciles, those remaining on campus will also find a difficult time scavenging for sustenance. Pinocchio's and Tommy's House of Pizza, Harvard's staple food sources, will both be closed during the break.

But Yenching Restaurant on Mass. Ave. will remain open for Christmas and New Year's, according to its manager, Peter Lee.

While most students part for home, House Superintendents will begin work in earnest.

"I will be hiding from students to catch up on paperwork," said Scott Heywood, superintendent of Kirkland House. "When the students aren't here, then it gets busy. We do all the work we can't do when the students are here."

Reclining in his armchair while listening to Bach, Heywood said he will then "have a few quiet days off to enjoy the holiday."

A veteran of managing 26 buildings at Harvard, Heywood sees the house as an extended family. He had enjoyed his previous tasks, said Heywood, "But this is more fun."