Howard Ducks flock together
By ERIN LaRUFFA
Scene Writer
To enter Howard Hall, one must pass under the often-quiet Howard Hall arches.
However, the hall's entrance is not the only quiet part of the dorm. Situated sideways on South Quad, Howard Hall has a reputation as being one of the more quiet dorms on campus.
"I think we are probably one of the more conservative dorms on campus … We take our studies seriously," said Sue Hinderlider, now in her third and final year as the dorm's rector. "We're not one of the run-around-and-act-like-fools kinds of dorms."
Part of the reason that the dorm is relatively quiet is that 50 of its 167 residents live in single rooms, Hinderlider said.
"We get a lot of people who float in from other dorms for singles," she said, explaining that those residents tend to be less involved in the dorm. "I think that does make a difference."
In addition, hardly two rooms are alike, and few other dorms have two-room doubles, Hinderlider explained.
"It has a home-like feel," said freshman Veronica Kelleher, adding that it does not have a "cinderblock atmosphere" like some newer dorms on campus.
"I think we're unique both architecturally and spirit-wise … We're kind of here doing our own thing," Hinderlider said. She also said that the dorm's small size allows its residents to get to know each other better.
"Just the fact that Howard is a small dorm encourages a close-knit sense," said Camille Fitzpatrick, a Howard RA. "Since it is small, it's totally dependent on social groups in the dorm."
Howard residents tend to "move in and out of [each other's] rooms like its one room," Kelleher said.
"I've always really liked it … This is where my closest friends have come from since the start of freshman year," said Fitzpatrick, who does not believe that the large number of single rooms affects the social atmosphere of the dorm.
Fitzpatrick's decision to become an RA during her senior year was easy, she said.
"All my friends stayed in Howard, so it wasn't a big sacrifice for me to stay on campus," Fitzpatrick said.
Indeed, 26 seniors live in Howard, which Hinderlider said is unusual, especially considering Howard's size.
Both Hinderlider and Fitzpatrick did say that lack of social space was a problem in the hall.
"I do wish that Howard had more social space, especially more 24-hour space. If you have a bunch of guy friends over, you pretty much have to go somewhere else," Fitzpatrick said.
Nevertheless, the location of the dorm – on South Quad across from the dining halls and close to the lakes – is particularly convenient, Fitzpatrick said.
The dorm was built in 1924 and was converted to a women's dorm in 1987, the same year the dorm adopted its current mascot, the Howard Duck.
The atmosphere of the dorm has changed somewhat since it was a male dorm.
According to Kelleher, whose father lived in Howard in the 1960s, the male residents used to play football in the hallways and often hit the exit signs.
Another difference is that the dorm's "green lounge," now used as a study area, once served as a television lounge, Kelleher said.
Despite the dorm's reputation for being quiet, Kelleher said she has noticed that many of the dorm's current residents enjoy playing music loudly.
Unlike most dorms, Howard was not named after a priest or donor. Instead, the hall gets its name from Timothy Howard, a former dean of the Notre Dame Law School. Howard, who completed his undergraduate degree at the University in 1864, also served as Chief Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court.
Though seen as different from other dorms, the Howard Ducks enjoy their quiet place on the lake.
All Scene Stories for Wednesday, March 22, 2000
