New House reflects on 50 years at Sept. 20 anniversary celebration
Students and alumni discussed the dormitory’s history at the Student Center
Photo courtesy of Ashley Kennedy
Since 1975, thousands of MIT students have called New House home. And, on Sept 20., dozens of alumni and current residents — along with members of the broader MIT community — gathered in La Sala in the Student Center to celebrate the dormitory’s 50th anniversary.
New House, originally known as the New West Campus Houses, was the sixth residence hall on campus for undergraduate housing and was constructed in response to campus overcrowding.
The dorm at 471 Memorial Dr. has represented the student body’s breadth of cultural diversity since its inception. Designed by Catalan architect Josep Lluís Sert and built atop the former site of a restaurant owned by Chinese-American cuisine pioneer Joyce Chen, New House is the product of a vision for “independent communit[ies],” according to a history presentation at the event given by Vivian Hir ’25, one of three event organizers.
It was this unique structure that enabled the formation of the House’s nine independent living groups, which, today, includes six cultural houses (Chocolate City, French House, German House, iHouse, Juniper, and La Casa) along with three numbered houses.
During the event’s opening remarks, New House Head of House and Charles Stark Draper Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics Wesley L. Harris expressed his gratitude for the abiding “intellect and compassion” of the entire “strong [and] positive” New House community. Highlighting Juniper, founded in 2022 as “the first community on our campus for women of color,” he conveyed optimism for New House’s role in radiating “balance” and compassion to others on campus, which was received by audience applause.
Harris also invited alumni to “take the elevator!” Indeed, for many alumni, today’s New House is a strange sight. Interior renovations, including the addition of two elevators, were completed in 2018. The event was also therefore an opportunity for alumni to learn more about the new New House while reminiscing over their shared experiences and enjoying a catered lunch from Sugar & Spice Thai Restaurant.
Former New House resident and current MIT Senior Lecturer in Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences Michael Person ’94, SM ’01, PhD ’06, expressed pleasure at seeing “current students not only enjoying the house and living there, but [also] looking back and trying to connect with previous students” to understand the House’s traditions and history.
Stephen Balzac ’85, SM ’87, a former resident of New House’s House Four, recalled founding “the Assassins’ Guild while living in New House” and noted the special appeal of New House the year he moved in, as MIT administration began to “impose mandatory meal plans.”
The anniversary celebration concluded with a Q&A event with six panelists, which included MIT Dean of Admissions Stu Schmill ’86 — a former resident of New House’s Desmond (No. 5) House.
Panelists recalled fond memories of their time living in New House and gave advice to current students. One alumnus, Dan Halbert ’78, recounted the story of a Victory in Europe Day prank where members of French and Russian House “marched through German House,” prompting audience laughter.
These days, despite the bright LEDs and new bike cage, New House might not be as “new” in appearance at 50 years of age. Yet the enthusiasm that permeates the dorm’s community remains strong. As panelist and MIT Lecturer in Literature Joaquín Terrones ’99 told current New House residents: “My only piece of advice is [just] keep doing what you’re doing.”
Hir ’25, News Editor of The Tech, was not involved in the writing or editing of this article.