BROOKLYN COLLEGE LIBRARY ARCHIVES
AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
Accession Number #2002-004
Biographical Note
In the directory of the Brooklyn College Student Organizations
(1961) the purpose of the HOUSE PLAN ASSOCIATION was
to foster better social relationships among students;
to advance unity in the sense of promoting friendship and understanding regardless of
color, religion, or national origin; to develop leadership and a spirit of cooperation;
to encourage and enrich the intellectual experiences of the student by providing
and promoting social, cultural and athletic activities.
The House Plan Association began in 1937 and developed
into the largest co-ed social organization in Brooklyn
College. HPA grew from 9 houses to more than 170 house
plans. In 1961, with over 2,500 members of the House
Plan Assoc. at Brooklyn College, HPA comprised the largest
student organization of any campus in the country. With
one representative from each house plan, the 105 independent
groups were united and functioned in cultural and community
activities. (Broeklundian 1955 and 1961). Euclid House
for young men on campus, one of the younger House Plan
Associations, was founded in September 1949. Combining
hard work with social activity, Euclid was soon an important
part of the college. “Millie the Dummy”
frequently rallied for Euclid House’s jocks playing
football in the intramurals against other city universities.
Euclid was also involved with the Country Fairs and
on Friday evenings the men joined the Gale House ladies
for dancing.
HPA sponsored events like award ceremonies, blood-drives,
boatrides, lectures (by distinguished speakers like
Vance Packard and Arthur Schlesinger, Jr.), symphonies,
socials, variety shows (with entertainers like Louis
Armstrong and Count Basie), week-end gatherings (such
as bowling, ice skating parties, wine & cheese tasting
parties), installation dinners, and contributed substantial
sums for loans and scholarship funds. These events were
the perfect place for members to get to know one another.
Food and drink, a sense of friendship and belonging
–all helped to create a feeling of camaraderie
and unity.
The House Plan Assoc. had a bi-monthly publication
of their own, the Calling Card, so that members could
read about news of their organization’s activities
and other House Plans. In order to accommodate the proliferation
of activities at BC, Wednesdays (noon to 2:00 PM) “club
hours” were extended to include Mondays as well
and were reserved for meetings, lectures, discussions
and other programs.
By the late 1970’s, the HPA-sponsored lectures,
scholarships, and events disappeared. Ugly-man-on-campus
contests disappeared, as did the yearly Country Fair.
Student disinterest was one reason; many became more
interested in political, ethnic, and religious activities.
“Too many students finish class and run off to
their jobs and homes,” said one faculty advisor
(Murray Horowitz’s BC, The First Half
Century).
Historical
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