“House committees haven’t been treated like registered student groups in the past, in that the latter are required to go through basic training,” Dingman said. “When the issue of House Committee budgets was raised, members of the Committee [on House Life] thought it would be useful to have information on each House’s budget, and that perhaps we could end up with greater equity and Houses learning from one another.”

Dingman expressed regret that HoCos were hesitant to submit this information.

“The student officers who are reluctant are missing the point,” he said.

“It’s unfortuante that this request has been thought of as a dean’s plot.”

But not all House Committees reacted negatively. Several House Committees submitted their budgets without dissent. Marie-Therese F. Panlilio ’02, co-chair of Currier House Committee, was very supportive of the measure.

“Building more communication is really important and could be very useful,” she said. “Other Houses do great things and sharing information could increase overall social life at Harvard. I think it’s silly to reinvent the wheel each time.”

In speaking about the CHL House of the Month Award—a grant of $250 given to the House that puts on the most impressive social activities—Panlilio expressed concern that some House Committees were territorial about their ideas.

“A forum for sharing, rather than competing, could better ensure that all student is having a high-quality experience in their House,” she said. “It shouldn’t ever be that someone is so proud of their House because it is so much better.”