The last and arguably the best option is to build a 13th House. Many Houses are so large that few residents know everyone in their own year, let alone in the whole House. House community could be greatly strengthened by decreasing the populations of the largest Houses and assigning 20 extra students, as well as the 118 "overcrowding" students, to a new House. A 13th House would ensure that no Harvard student misses the strong House spirit and adequate room space that contribute to a healthy and fulfilling college life.

We recognize that the land for such a House would be extremely scarce. Indeed, the shortage of land is the greatest single barrier to the construction of a new House. But we are confident that a University that can build the Knafel Center can work to find the necessary real estate.

The cost of these measures--aside from the construction of a new House--would not be exorbitant, especially if a number of them are used in combination. And each is a more elegant solution for the long term than knocking down Wolbach's walls.