With respect to the houses, the issue is slightly more nuanced. In theory, HoCo activities are open to and enjoyed by all members of a House community. However, in reality, many of the most popular HoCo sponsored events--such as Stein clubs and happy hours--are not open to all House members, and many individuals choose not to participate in HoCo events even if they can.

Consequently, as with the FDO programs mentioned above, funneling laundry revenues through HoCo's is not an equitable method of redistribution. If College administrators believe that HoCo's are important and responsible enough to receive the thousands of dollars generated by House laundry facilities each year, then the College should consider funding HoCo's out of its own pocket instead of supporting them through funds that have been exploited from unknowing students.

Thus, there is a lot more than sudsy water going down the drain in Harvard's laundry rooms; students' dollars--and their choices--are being washed away as well. It's high time that the College comes clean of its misdeeds and stops taking advantage of students' Downy soft spots. In the world of Harvard laundry, the dirt has got to go.

Lauren E. Baer '02 is a social studies concentrator in Dunster House. Her column appears on alternate Wednesdays.