The study showed that students did not typically go to bed on a Friday or Saturday until 3 a.m.
“Most parties at Harvard really only get underway at around 11 p.m.,” Mahan said. “We’re roughly adding a third to what we already have. Now that’s substantial.”
Mahan led a Committee on House Life subcommittee of three other students, three senior tutors and an assistant to the Masters to revise and standardize the party request form across Houses.
“I’m really impressed with the student leadership on this issue,” Dingman said. “The subcommittee that revised the party form has shown a real maturity for what some of the problems might be.”
The party form consists of a list of regulations, a registration form—which requests the signature of a residential tutor as well as the senior tutor—and a list of tips for being a good host.
These latter strategies include notifying dorm neighbors about a party and providing a phone number that they can call before filing a complaint with HUPD.
“The separate strategy section on the form is not something that you’re going to be punished for violating, it’s just some things you could do to be a considerate host,” said Mahan.
Students reacted with surprise and elation to the announcement yesterday.
“I think it’s really great, since people often want to have parties after concerts or events, but it’s difficult to do this with a 1 a.m. curfew,” Susan M. Erenda ’07 said. “Instead, people end up just drinking quietly with no music.”
She said the later curfew was a step in the right direction towards improving the College party scene.
“People like to stay on campus, where you know all your friends will be,” she said.
Others felt that the room parties would themselves improve with the extended curfew.
“This extra hour really gives people the opportunity to take the sketchiness level up a notch or two,” Rebecca J. Hammer ’06 said.
Dingman added that the 2 a.m. rule did not extend to parties in common areas and said that Master-sponsored events—like the Leverett ’80s Dance—would retain a 1 a.m. curfew.
Mahan expressed hope that the trial period would eventually be made a permanent College policy.
“I really hope the UC reps will be responsible leaders within their Houses. It’s important that we articulate to the students that they can’t be running through people’s yards at 3 a.m. and still expect to have 2 a.m. party curfews,” Mahan said.
—Staff writer Josh P. Rogers contributed to the reporting of this article.
—Staff writer Elena P. Sorokin can be reached at sorokin@fas.harvard.edu.