“It'll be okay.”
These past three years, I have certainly considered transferring to be closer to the square and friends—my mind has shuttled back and forth along Garden Street. However, I never submitted a transfer application. Instead, my Cabot experience has surpassed my sophomoric expectations—the housing, the community, and for the chance to learn from and love my House Masters. While I have come to form my own thoughts about my House, I continue to reflect upon the disparaging comments I heard freshman year and continue to hear today leveled against the Quad Houses and certain River Houses. Negative sentiment directed at any House is both unnecessary and harmful to student life at Harvard.
Critical comments do not help cultivate excitement or House spirit. The negative culture of putting down allegedly inferior Houses disguises the fact that there are many students who are beyond happy living in Houses some of their peers deem less desirable. This only perpetuates the unfortunate myth that some Houses are categorically better than others. Students here should not hinder the ability of their peers to enjoy Harvard by diminishing Housing Day or the House experience that is integral to life at the College.
“Semper Cor.”
It’s important to remember that Harvard is in a period of positive transition. With the support of students, Harvard Transportation Services has expanded shuttle service, and we can all work together to make sure that the University keeps supporting student transportation needs. On the River, undergraduate life will also change with the large-scale House renewal project and the creation of the Smith Campus Center. Each of us can take part in making sure that these spaces look the way we want and that they bring together students no matter where they live.
In the meantime, I encourage upperclassmen to storm the Yard on Housing Day and build up the spirit for all Houses. Freshmen, enjoy this very special part of the year with your blockmates, and set high expectations for the House life to come.
Christopher H. Cleveland ’14, a class marshal for the Class of 2014, is a sociology concentrator living in Cabot House.