The
Historical Perspective
by Andy
Gottesman
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HOB is now
entering its tenth year of existence and perhaps it is time
to glance back over the past. The houseplan's long history
has been marked by our ability to survive and grow
better.
House of
Bamboo was founded In the Fall of 1959. At first, most of
the members came from Bayside, Flushing, and Jamaica High
Schools. All were freshmen in search of a congenial social
life and an outlet for athletic Interest. Our houseplan
offered this at a minimal cost and without the overbearing,
gung-ho attitudes of the fraternities.
Early HOB
activities were in keeping with out relaxed attitude. We had
a party with a female group every Friday night at a member's
home. We participated in Intramural sports. We conducted a
charity drive. We held a few special dated functions.
Moreover, we laid the foundation tor our hectic weekly
meeting.
But HOB
grew and changed rapidly. Two years after It was founded,
the members combined their talents with Hilltop House to
participate In Follies. From 1961, Follies (and later
Frolics) became a regular part of our activities. In fact,
House of Bamboo has participated In more Follies than any
other houseplan. It proved to be a great source of pride,
strength, and social contact, even though It caused some
very real dissension's at first. Follies required order and
discipline and many members were unhappy about Bamboo's
failure to tighten up sufficiently. Some joined fraternities
and some formed a new houseplan (which folded quickly). A
few joined other houseplans, but the spirit was such that
most remained!
The
membership swelled In the Fall of 1963 when new members
filled the places of Bamboo's graduating seniors. The new
members Immediately Infused new spirit Into a houseplan
deprived by the graduation of Its charter
members.
This new
spirit paid off. In the Spring of 1964 HOB took first place
In Houseplan Intramurals. But this was only one facet of the
new HOB. That year we won awards In debating, conducted a
record charity drive, participated in Follies, and as the
delegation from Oregon at the school-wide mock convention,
were able to successfully nominate Mark Hattleld for the
Vice-Presidency. We also won the third prize delegation
award at a convention run primarily by fraternity and
sorority people.
That year
was a good one. However, we didn't have a house and dues
were still only $2.00 a month. In 1965, Bamboo rented Its
first house over the protest of some of the members. Though
the landlord soon had a change of heart, many Bamboo members
saw the advantage of having their own haven even at the pain
of Increased dues. In the Fall of 1965 we got a full-fledged
mansion -- nine rooms, running water, and squirrels.
Throughout the year of 1966 we enjoyed an overwhelming
prosperity. Members flourished In the Senate, In CHP, and In
many other campus organizations. This brought a new found
prestige and respect previously lacking.
But the
Spring of 1967 brought tragedy. About a week after an
Immensely successful Frolics skit, a local street gang
attacked our house. Fazed and daunted, lovers not fighters,
we decided to move to a new and safer location In the heart
of Flushing. Now we have ten rooms, running water, no
squirrels, and, unbelievably, an honest-to-goodness paint
job inside.
So Bamboo
has survived, encouraged by its past but not tied down to
It. Each year, HOB makes a genuine contribution to the
social life of Queens College. If its tenth year is as good
as the first nine, then HOB can be justly proud of
Itself.
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