Welcome to Next House!

As you evaluate your housing options, we encourage you to stroll down Amherst Alley and take a look at Next House. Yes, we are the last undergraduate dorm in a long string of residences, but we are also the closest to the last MIT shuttle stop on the Alley. Check out the gorgeous views of the Charles River from the student rooms, lounges and dining hall – the crew teams and sailboats in the warm months and the ice-covered wonderland in the winter. Pass through the TFL (Tastefully Furnished Lounge), with our grand piano, large flat-screen TV and comfy couches. Stop by the dining hall, not only a good place for dinner, but also to gather for study breaks and social events.

We are Next House, a community with a rich social life in an environment of strong peer support. The dorm participates in the Residence-Based Advising program, which allows first-year residents to benefit from a support system superbly run by our upper-class students. We also have an excellent team of energetic and helpful Graduate Resident Tutors (GRTs). The GRTs not only hold social events (warm cookies and milk anyone?), but also get to know the students well and help guide them through the bumps on the road.

Our community has a strong commitment to philanthropy through the student group, Next Service, a team that leads monthly efforts to engage the House in community service. Further, the MIT Bakers use our Country Kitchen to learn more about the “awesomeness of baking” and help raise money for charity through bake sales.

The students at Next House have a love for the arts, as demonstrated by the near-constant use of our grand piano and music room. In addition, Next Act, a completely student-run musical theatre production, is one of the hottest tickets on campus. (Of course, you will have to compete against the Housemasters’ two young boys for the best parts!)

We have a very active House Exec, which coordinates monthly social events, a fall formal, ski trip, carnival, BBQs, and the list goes on and on. And don’t overlook the convenience of our Dining Hall and the accommodating, friendly staff who strive to incorporate student recipes and culture into their meals. Our communal Country Kitchen is also available for you to create individual or group meals or desserts.

With the assistance of our Associate Housemaster, Marc Lo, the Housemasters host many events throughout the year. There are dorm-wide monthly brunches with the Dean, BBQs in the courtyard, and daily breakfasts during exam weeks. Plus, we look for any excuse to put out bowls of candy at the front desk as a special surprise.

As Housemasters, we are relatively new to MIT, Next House and Cambridge. Chris is the Dean for Student Life and oversees the integration of living and learning at MIT. Bette works from home writing theme pieces on the telecommunications industry and markets them to European investors. We have two boys, Michael (almost 10) and Paul (4), who are active members of the MIT Bakers and are looking for guidance on how to build the perfect snowman. Michael will also make an appearance in Next Act. We are joined by Marc Lo, our experienced Associate Housemaster and Residential Life Associate (RLA).

At Next House there is a general sense of a distinctly happy community of students who don’t mind the walk, run or bike ride all the way down Amherst Alley. We look forward to welcoming those of you who decide to join Next House in the fall and hope to make your years here enjoyable.

Chris and Bette Colombo

Next Up: Next Act  Not to be missed! Spring time is time for Next Act at Next House. Now entering over seventeeth years, Next Act transforms the main lounge into a musical stage where residents pull out all the stops. Past Acts have included Bye-bye Birdie, Oklahoma!, Bells Are Ringing, Grease, Guys & Dolls, and Mame. For nearly three months, about a quarter of the dorm gets involved as cast, pit, or crew - though everyone comes to watch. Join Next House and be a part of the Act! And, of course, everyone will be invited to join the audience in the spring, wherever you live on campus!