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At Home in the Domus

Eliot House enjoys a prime location in front of the Charles River, offering its 450 to 500 students a rich history of long-standing traditions. Students in Eliot are often found spending their late nights at The Grille or in the Square after partying at the nine- or ten-man suites with other Eliotites. With famous alumni like Gabby Thomas ’19 and Rashida Jones ’97 from “Parks and Recreation,” Eliot alums do not fall short of the Hollywood spotlight. Want to hear more about why Eliot House is the place to be? We’ve conducted some research to see exactly what it means to live in the home of the Mastodon (which is just an elephant, basically).

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If there’s one thing that defines Eliot, it’s residents’ sense of community — everyone in the House truly knows each other. Walking into Eliot’s dhall early in the morning, it was impossible not to notice the lively conversations filling the room. Unlike other Houses, where students bury themselves in emails or otherwise fixate on their screens, Eliotites gather around the long, communal tables, catching up with friends and staff alike. During my interview with one of the House Committee (HoCo) chairs in the building manager’s office, Eliot residents and staff constantly stopped by to say hello, popping in and out like it was second nature. “I think we have, like, a super strong relationship, like across years and grades,” HoCo chair Annabel S. Lowe ’26 said. “Our faculty deans do a great job…You, like, can’t walk past Paul’s office (the building manager) without him saying hello. He knows everyone. Sue knows everyone as well. She’s our House Administrator. Grace is our dhall worker. She’s awesome. Renee as well…it’s just such a lovely community in that sense.” It’s safe to say that this social bunch lives up to their reputation! Whether it’s the staff or tutor greeting every student by name, Eliot isn’t just a House…it’s a family and the place to be!

Eventful Evenings in Eliot

If you find your social battery still buzzing by Thursday night, Eliot House has biweekly steins, hosted by the Eliot House Committee (HoCo). With themes like St. Paddy’s Day and Halloween Golf, plus its semesterly Karaoke Stein, there’s always something to look forward to in Eliot’s walls. Whether you drop by for a couple of minutes or stay until the end, these events are great spaces to escape the library (though it’s the most gorgeous place you’ll ever lock in).

But it doesn’t stop there: Eliot’s faculty run Tiny Desk, an intimate performance series in the House library. “It’s all student performances, and people do poetry and music…I think it’s once a month,” Lowe said. Tiny Desk performances are super low-stakes and no pressure, so stop by and showcase your secret talents to fellow Eliotites, or be part of the best-dressed audience — you decide!

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Every month, students enjoy an enhanced dinner, where students can take a break from regular dhall food and catch up with professors or Resident Tutors. The Holiday Dinner and F.O. Matthiessen dinner are also exclusive events for Eliot residents, featuring heartfelt senior speeches and performances. In February, the House also celebrates the birthday of a former faculty member. But wait — there’s more! One of the most beloved traditions happens during graduation week when seniors paint the famous Eliot tunnels, leaving behind drawings, blocking group names, and initials.

Eliot’s spirit isn’t just found inside the House; it thrives on the field and courts as well. Competing for the Straus Cup, Eliot’s IM teams bring the same energy to sports as they do to House traditions. Led by IM Kings John P. Philips ’26 and Thomas A. Tait ’26, the House competes in everything from soccer to basketball, fostering both friendly competition with other Houses and House spirit!

Obviously, there’s one event we can’t forget when it comes to Eliot: Fête!. Every spring, Eliot House throws the biggest House formal on campus, complete with an enormous budget, stunning décor, and a walk-in photo booth. “There’s a lot of preparation that goes into picking a theme and doing it to its fullest potential… Last year, they spent ages thrifting — I think it was Renaissance-themed,” said Lowe. Each year, Eliot’s central courtyard is transformed into a picture-worthy venue, with a massive, decorated tent and live music from a jazz band of Eliot musicians (talk about self-sufficient!). And, of course, Fête has its iconic ice sculpture of the Eliot mastodon on display for its guests who either pay dues or had to convince (or pay) their friend (or potentially a Sidechat stranger) for an invite. Since it’s almost about that time…does anyone have a plus-one ticket? Asking for a friend...

Dorms in the Domus

Typically, sophomores entering Eliot House can expect an n-1 housing setup, meaning that most students will be in doubles (or a suite with at least one double) for their first year living in Eliot. (Or, you could always try the age-old tactic of having a suitemate sleep in the common room…we’re sure that’ll end well.) However, with Eliot going through renovations, next year’s sophomores will be placed in (very luxurious) overflow housing in the Prescotts, the Inn, Fairfax, Hampden, or Ridgely.

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While some may be disappointed not to live in the House itself, Eliot is making sure its community stays as strong as ever. With an increased budget during swing housing, students can look forward to even more House programming, events, and traditions to keep the Eliot spirit alive, no matter where they’re living.

Wonderland Down Under

Eliot is also packed with top-tier amenities that make everyday life better. The House gym is perfect for getting in a quick workout, while the dedicated dance room doubles as a space for yoga and other activities. For those who prefer a quieter study spot, Eliot’s stunning library offers a peaceful escape with breathtaking views of the Charles River. The excitement continues as you walk through the tunnels connecting most of the House’s entryways, as students can unwind with a pool table, chill out in the TV lounge, and prep for midterms and finals in dedicated study spaces. Down in the basement, movie lovers can head to the Golden Arm Screening Room, a cinema space to watch movies and snack on popcorn while leaning back in the room’s super fancy recliners. And of course, there’s the Eliot Grille, run by Henry Xuan ’25 and Zoha A. Ibrahim '26, which serves late-night bites every Friday through Sunday. The Grille offers a lineup of late-night favorites, including burgers, milkshakes, and mozzarella sticks, all of which you can purchase with BoardPlus — so practically for free (yes, you will run out too early in the semester, but no, you won’t regret it).

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Discussions with the Domus

Can’t get enough of Eliot House? Here are some additional questions answered by Eliot HoCo chair Annabel S. Lowe ’26!

What has been your favorite memory in Eliot House?

AL: The community dinner last year when they did the swapping over of the IM chairs… [Eliot House] did this whole procession during dinner — the changing of crowns — and it was really fun!

How would you describe Eliot House in three words?

AL: The absolute best.

Look out for Eliot House this housing season, and pray to the River Gods for good luck! Happy Housing Day!

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