The other security issue related to extended party hours relates to the services of Security Systems International (SSI), the company whose security guards oversee the Houses at night.

According to Michael N. Lichten, the administrator who coordinates with SSI, the security guards patrol only until 1 a.m., so extending party curfews by one hour would necessitate some logistical work with relation to SSI.

"If party hours were extended until 2, we'd have to see if people could extend their shifts," Lichten said.

Let's Make a Deal

Both Smith and Todd E. Plants `02, chair of the council's Student Affairs Committee, also met with a representative from Cambridge's Licensing Board to discuss how a 2 a.m. curfew might conflict with city ordinances.

According to Cambridge law, any large party that charges for admission must obtain a special license to do so. Incidentally, those permits mandate a 1 a.m. curfew.

Thus, although room parties, which generally do not charge their guests, are not affected by the city ordinance, House-sponsored parties generally would be compelled to shut their doors at 1 a.m.

Smith and Plants, however, say that based on their meeting with the Cambridge official, they think they have worked out a deal through which the city will allow licensed parties to remain open until 2 a.m., pending University approval.