Eliot House, which opened in 1931, is named in honor of Charles W. Eliot, President of Harvard University, 1869-1909. The main achievements of his administration included encouraging graduate and professional education, while broadening the undergraduate curriculum.
Of the original seven Houses completed following a generous gift from Edward S. Harkness, Eliot House, along with Lowell and Dunster, was built as an entirely new house.
Designed by Coolidge, Shepley, Bulfinch and Abbot, two of its distinctive features include the hexagonal great court opening south toward the river and the handsome concave southwestern facade that greets those approaching the college from the river.
Though most juniors and seniors are familiar with the challenges of settling in the House, sophomores generally are not. A review of what to expect and what to do should be beneficial for all members of the Eliot House Community.
The House Administrator is responsible for student housing. Rising seniors and juniors in the House participate in a lottery in the spring to select their suites for the following fall. Rising sophomores are assigned to suites during the summer. Letters are sent to them in late August informing them of their suite and mailbox number. A Housing Committee, composed of a group of students, tutors, and the House Administrator, Lorna Bolkey, is responsible for running the housing lottery every spring. Students who have questions for the committee or who are concerned about housing should contact Lorna Bolkey at 495-2275.
Eliot House will open on Friday, September 10, 1999.
All House residents will be issued a building access card, suite key and a mailbox combination for which they will sign a receipt form.
The following materials will be available in the Superintendent's office when you pick up your keys:
When moving into your suite you should expect to find a clean set of rooms with walls that have been painted within the last few years. Each student is allocated one bed (including mattress and pillow), one desk, one dresser, one chair and a bookcase. You may also expect to find that the windows have storm windows, screens and shades, and light fixtures for general room lighting. Reading lamps are not provided.
Each suite in Eliot House has a living room, from one to five bedrooms and a "private" bathroom.
Harvard does not carry insurance covering damage to or theft of property. It is advised that you or your family obtain such coverage. Information about insurance, offered by a private company, will be available after registration.
Eliot House accommodates about 430 students and has dining rooms, common rooms, and facilities for academic, recreational and cultural activities.
Daily
Hot Breakfast 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Luncheon 11:45 - 2:00 p.m.
Dinner 5:00 - 7:15 p.m.
Sunday
Continental Breakfast 7:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Brunch 11:45 - 2:00 p.m.
Dinner 5:00 - 7:15 p.m.
Students who require special diets should speak to the Eliot House Dining Services Manager.
The Memorial Dining Room, on the ground floor of H-entry, given in memory of Thomas S. Gates, III, '56, William C. Boyden, III, '57, and Myron Timothy Herrick, '57, allows small groups - the room seats no more than twenty - to meet for meals. The Room may be reserved for dinners by formal and informal groups. Ordinarily, trays are carried there from the Dining Hall, but special served meals may be arranged at a price.
The Junior Common Room, located in H-entry, may be used by all members of the House (it is also accessible to use through use of the entry-door key). Although the JCR may be reserved for meetings of special groups or organizations, when most of the members are residents in the House, it is primarily intended for conversation, browsing, playing board games and so on.
The Library is located on the second floor of C Entry. Hours are extended during reading and exam periods. The Library is to be used only by members of the House.
Regulations concerning the borrowing of books and music records are posted on the bulletin board outside the Library.
The Kennard Room is used for recorded music, given in memory of Robert M.P. Kennard, Jr., '55, is on the second floor of C-entry, opposite the Library check-out desk. It is open during all Library hours and may be used by those seeking soothing background noises to accompany their reading as well as those intent on serious music study. The Kennard Room also contains a harpsichord, the gift of a loyal friend of Eliot House, which may be used by qualified students.
Three of the small seminar rooms under L-entry (T-23, 26, 27), as well as the A-entry Seminar room (T-2), are accessible to Eliot House students for evening study, whenever the classrooms are not otherwise in use. Six typing carrels are in T-5 (under A-entry).
The House Grill is reached by way of the I-entry basement stairway. The hours during which food is available in the Grill and the date of its formal opening in the fall will be posted on the House bulletin board.
A Kitchenette is located on the ground floor of H-entry opposite the Memorial Dining Room. The key is available through the Superintendent, and the kitchenette may be reserved in advance through the House Office.
The Television Room is adjacent to the House Grill. Food and drinks should not be taken into the Television Room. The pool table in the TV room is under the charge of the House Committee.
Keys to the following rooms are available through the Superintendent's Office and, on weekends, from the Library Desk. (A list of authorized students is kept on file.)
The Art Room (A-entry), Dance Studio (D & E entries), Woodshop (E-entry) and Photography Studio and Classroom (F-entry), are available to students whose qualifications have been endorsed by the Master or the individual in charge of each room. Informal classes, using each of these facilities, will be organized in response to student need and demand.
There are piano practice rooms in the basement (under E-entry and B/C entry), and in the Tower. On weekends, keys are available through the Music Tutor.
The Universal Room (S-14, under F Entry) and Ergometer Room (S-6, under C Entry) require orientation and supervision. Table Tennis is available in (S-16 under F Entry).
The Superintendent should be looked upon as a resource for you as the manager of the physical resources of the House. Questions about the items in this section of the booklet and all subjects covered may and should be addressed to him.
Office Coverage:
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Superintendent
5:00 p.m. - 12:45 a.m. - Harvard Security
Saturday and Sunday
5:00 p.m. - 12:45 a.m. - Harvard Security
All maintenance requests should be made to the Superintendent. When reporting a problem, please be as specific as possible in identifying its nature and location.
The College must insist that all maintenance be handled through the Superintendent's office. Even well-meaning do-it-yourself maintenance can cause serious damage and liabilities. For example, using over the counter caustic drain cleaners to open clogged drains can damage pipes and be a threat to the safety of maintenance personnel. Even the seemingly simple task of changing a fluorescent light bulb has resulted in shocks, injuries and damage to the fixtures.
Building-related emergencies (floods, black-outs, etc.) should be reported to the Superintendent's office, 495-2266. If the Superintendent's office is unattended, call the University Control Center directly at 495-5560.
Do not remove any screens or storm windows, shades or doors, as they are easily lost or broken. Report any problem to the Superintendent. A charge for repair or replacement will be placed on your term bill where damage can be attributed to neglect or student damage.
If you find cockroaches, ants, other insects or mice in your suite, the first thing to do is find the source that is attracting them. Make sure that absolutely all perishables are in sealed containers, that there are no spills or crumbs on the floor or empty unwashed beverage bottles. If the problem persists, report it to the Superintendent.
Toilet paper, trash can liners and cleaning supplies are available at the superintendent's office. Equipment such as vacuum cleaners, brooms, dustpans, mops and buckets may be borrowed from the Superintendent's office. No equipment will be lent unless your identification card is left in its place.
Students who wish to borrow bed boards or bunk bed guard rails may do so through the Superintendent. There is a $50 charge for bed boards and/or guard rails not returned to the Superintendent's office at the end of the academic year.
If you get locked out of your suite, loaner keys may be checked out in the Superintendent's office from 8:00 a.m. - 12:45 a.m., Monday through Friday, and 5:00 p.m. - 12:45 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
The Police will respond to lock outs from 1:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. seven days per week. THERE IS NO ONE AVAILABLE TO UNLOCK YOUR DOOR 8:00 a.m. TO 5:00 p.m. SATURDAY AND SUNDAY OR ON ANY OFFICIAL HOLIDAY.
Mail is delivered daily, Monday through Saturday. The official
Eliot House mailing address is:
Box Number, Eliot Mail Center
Cambridge, MA 02138-7524
In Eliot House you will be notified of any package, special delivery, flowers, etc. that are delivered to the Superintendent's office by a special slip that will be placed in your mailbox. Please bring the signed and dated slip to the Superintendent's office to pick up your packages.
Due to the overwhelming number of packages received at the beginning of the school year and the lack of space to safely store packages, the Superintendent insists that all packages sent to students arrive after Labor Day.
Students are reminded that all personal property sent to or brought onto University premises, including any mail or parcels, are at the sole risk of the owner. The University assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable for articles that are lost, stolen, or left behind.
Common bathrooms are cleaned Monday through Friday between 10:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Private bathrooms are normally cleaned once a week by the Student Porter Program. If your bathroom is not cleaned at this interval or to your satisfaction, please call the Student Porter Office at 495-5569. Persistent problems should be reported to the Superintendent.
The Harvard Student Telephone Office (HSTO) at 10 Ware Street (496-8200) will be handling all questions, orders and billing issues. The system is fully described in a booklet that all students will receive upon returning to campus.
New wiring and jacks (two outlets, 1 voice and 1 data) have been installed. Telephone service can be shared in the common room, or ordered for an individual's bedroom. Jack numbers are needed on your order to ensure the correct service location. Students must provide their own telephones, either by bringing one from home or purchasing one locally. Touchtone is necessary to access the systems features.
A telephone service application was distributed in May. On the application please indicate the date your service should be activated. Please note that telephone service will be billed to the student in the suite whose application is the first to arrive at the HSTO. Any and all outstanding balances must be paid in full in order for new service to be activated.
Eliot House's recycling program depends entirely upon your cooperation. Please do not put trash in recycling receptacles, and pay attention to the specifications throughout the house. Remember: have respect for those who process your recyclables. Your carelessness will create more work for them.
In compliance with the College-wide recycling program, Eliot House residents are able to recycle the following materials: Newspaper, white paper, magazines and colored paper. Brown paper bags are available in the Superintendent's office for containment of these materials. Please make use of them--you can use the bags for storing the paper in your suite. Whether you use these bags or supply your own, the paper must be contained in a bag, and plastic bags of paper are unacceptable. Full bags should be brought to paper recycling stations in F basement and near the distribution center in the rear of the dining hall. Please pay attention to posted specifications and sort your materials accordingly. No paper plates, cups, napkins or tissues, please.
Corrugated Cardboard. MUST be flattened in order to be recycled, due to the inconsistent sizes and shapes of boxes. Please place flattened corrugated cardboard in an intact box or paper bag, and deposit it at the paper recycling stations described above. No cereal or pizza boxes, as we cannot recycle paperboard and pizza boxes are contaminated with food grease.
Containers. Clear glass, colored glass, metals (aluminum, steel and tin), and plastics #1 and #2 (check bottom of container for number) are acceptable. Receptacles are located on the first floor of most entries; in F basement; and in the archway near the trash bins. Please pay attention to posted specifications and sort your materials accordingly. Remove caps and lids, and empty all liquids.
Washers and dryers for House members' use are located in the basement of I entry and are owned and operated by the Maytag Company. House Committee retains a portion of the receipts from the machines. The laundry facilities are available 24 hours a day. Machine malfunctions may be reported to the Superintendent's office or directly to the vendor whose phone number will be posted in the laundry rooms.
Students should familiarize themselves with that section of the Handbook for Students concerning "Living in the Houses and Dormitories." Regulations concerning the lawn, pets, and noise reflect the need for maintaining an environment that is decent and comfortable for all members of the House.
Entry doors are not to be propped open at any time. Doing so constitutes a breach of security. The majority of thefts each year occur in suites where the door to the entry has been left unsecured.
No duplicate keys are to be made; it is a violation of College regulations to allow unauthorized access to your room.
Students must request replacement access cards or keys from the Superintendent. Access cards or keys lost during the term cost $2. You will be billed via term bill after 30 days. No credit will be given for keys returned after that date.
If your keys have been lost or stolen and you have reason to believe that your security is threatened, you and your suite mates may request to have your suite door lock changed. There is a charge of $50 for replacing the lock and keys.
The small red boxes found on the doors separating one suite from another are "fire egress locks," to be broken only in an emergency. Anyone breaking these for any other reason will be charged for the repair, which is $30, as well as facing the possibility of disciplinary action.
Keep all egress doors, corridors, and passageways clear of furniture, baggage, bicycles and other obstructions. State law requires that these passages be kept clear.
Illness, accident, or emergency should be reported at once. The first step in an emergency is to contact Harvard Police, Fire Department, or maintenance. The second step is to contact the Senior Tutor or Superintendent.
Please read all fire safety information that is given to you during the orientation conducted in your entryway. Familiarize yourself with the locations of emergency exits and fire extinguishers. Evacuation procedures are posted on the inside of each suite door.
Tampering with fire extinguishers (including breaking the seal on the handle) is viewed by the College as a disregard for the safety of fellow occupants.
Individuals deemed responsible for tampering with or altering emergency equipment will be charged for service and repairs and will face disciplinary action.
All suites in Eliot House have operable fireplaces. Guidelines for using fireplaces can be found in each suite or from the Superintendent.
City of Cambridge ordinances and Harvard College regulations forbid cooking in any room or apartment not equipped with permanent cooking facilities. Cooking equipment (toaster ovens, hot plates, microwaves, electric coffee makers, tea kettles, etc.) is prohibited in such places. Please don't bring them; we can't let you keep them.
Inquiries or complaints concerning furniture and the maintenance of rooms should be addressed to Mr. Hank Slonina, the House Superintendent. Members of Eliot are warned not to disfigure the walls of their rooms by nail, tacks, etc., or to engage in private enterprise remodeling or redecoration, as they will be held financially responsible for any damage or physical changes in rooms which require subsequent efforts by Facilities Maintenance. Inspections of rooms are made during the year to assure compliance with state and local safety regulations, and any damage to the rooms determined during these inspections will be reflected in charges on the occupants' term bills.
Suites will be inspected periodically during the year and at the end of the academic year. The purpose for inspections is to make sure all rooms comply with safety regulations, to check for needed repairs, and that the guidelines noted in this booklet are being followed. Inspections during the academic year will be conducted with proper notice.
Please make yourself familiar with the following guidelines:
Any damage to the rooms determined during inspections will be reflected in charges on the occupants' term bills.
Residents will not be permitted to paint their rooms or suites. If there is a section of a suite that is in particularly bad condition, the Superintendent may arrange to have it painted at his discretion. Please note that any change to the fabric of a suite or apartment will be considered damage subject to charge.
Partitions and lofts are not allowed unless permission has been obtained from the Superintendent. There are strict guidelines for putting up partitions, as they could otherwise be a fire hazard or cause permanent damage to the structure of the room. The installation of any temporary room partition which is not in accordance with regulations and which has not been specifically authorized by the Superintendent is strictly prohibited.
All partitions and lofts must be removed before the suite is vacated and materials properly disposed of.
The use of space heaters is strongly discouraged because they are fire hazards and are an inefficient use of energy. Ideally, they should not be necessary; if your room is overheated or cold, bring it to the attention of the Superintendent so that the necessary alterations can be made.
Air conditioners are allowed only with the written recommendation of a physician and approval by the Superintendent.
Students may keep a refrigerator in their room for personal use if the unit meets the following specifications:
Refrigerators must be thoroughly cleaned before storing for the summer.
By vote of the Committee on Houses and Undergraduate Life and as reaffirmed by the Eliot House Committee, it is not permissible for students to keep pets in their rooms.
Students shall at all times show proper regard for others in the use of radios and musical instruments. Radios, television sets, phonographs, and other audible equipment should be adjusted so as not to disturb others. No boisterous music or playing drums or other harsh instruments shall be allowed at any time.
Arrangements for private parties -- of any size greater than twice the assigned occupancy of the suite -- must be made with the Allston Burr Senior Tutor, whose approval, and guidelines concerning security, numbers, noise, and hours, must be received and adhered to. The forms, signed by entryway tutor and the Senior Tutor, are due back in the Senior Tutor's Office by noon on the Thursday preceding the party.
Hand darts and dartboards are not allowed. If found, they will be removed. Students will be charged for the actual cost to repair and paint walls and doors damaged from darts.
There is term-time storage for trunks and computer boxes only. You must keep everything else you bring in your suite. Items (including bicycles) left in hallways, stairways, and basements will be removed at the student's expense.
The bicycle racks at the foot of C, D, and in the large area under F/G entries are numbered and assigned to students on a first-come, first-assigned basis. Students reserving one of these spaces must provide the Superintendent with a duplicate key. The outside bicycle racks are ordinarily for intermittent use only. A student planning to use these racks regularly or for an extended period of time should register with the Superintendent for an assigned space and, as in the case of the interior racks, supply a duplicate key.
You are urged to register your bike with the University Police Department at 29 Garden Street. The registration sticker on your bicycle will ward off many thieves; it will also greatly improve the chances of locating and identifying your bicycle should it be stolen.
Poster and distribution materials meeting the criteria outlined in the Handbook for Students may be posted on House bulletin boards. Postering on corridor walls, stairwells, suite doors, entry doors and windows is prohibited.
The lawn is for use, during proper season, for outdoor study, relaxation (including sleep) and such decorous sports as bowls and croquet, equipment for which may be signed out from the Superintendent. More active sports which destroy the grass may not be played in the courtyard.
Any Harvard University publication may be placed in the Distribution Center located in the small side room off of the dining hall. Paid subscriptions to daily newspapers may be distributed to the baskets on students' doors. Harvard publications with written approval by the Dean of Student's office and the Superintendent, may also be distributed in the baskets on students' doors. Organizations may obtain the distribution permission form from the Dean of Student's office in University Hall 4.
The "move out" deadline is announced in late April in the House Newsletter. Students are typically asked to vacate their suites 24 hours after the College's last scheduled spring term final examination. Seniors and those students who belong to undergraduate organizations given permission from the Dean of Students are allowed to extend their stay through Commencement.
The college will store students' belongings on campus for the summer under the following conditions:
Following the guidelines below should make moving out a relatively painless experience:
Prior to moving out for the summer:
After vacating your suite, be sure to return your original access card and coded keys to the Eliot House Superintendent's office. An addressed envelope will be provided for you to return your keys. If you do not return all the keys assigned to you, a charge of $15 per key and or access card will be added to your term bill.
|
HARVARD POLICE |
495-1212 |
|
FIRE DEPARTMENT |
495-1511 |
|
HOUSE SUPERINTENDENT |
495-2266 |
|
MASTERS |
495-2275 |
|
SENIOR TUTOR |
495-2275 |
|
CUSTODIAL SERVICES |
495-5515 |
|
STUDENT PORTER SERVICE |
495-5569 |
|
EMERGENCY AFTER-HOURS MAINTENANCE |
495-5560 |
|
DINING HALL MANAGER |
495-4891 |