"I just get these random checks from MacGray every two to three months, and then we throw a big party," he says.

"It's sort of magical check that appears out of nowhere every couple of weeks," says Jeanne M. Cawse '01, co-chair of the Cabot House Committee.

Di Capua says that where there's a will for funding House activities, there's a way.

Leverett House recently got rid of its House dues, after it became clear that laundry revenues and their popular '80s dances--both of which bring in about $3,000 each semester--could comfortably fund the House Committee by themselves.

"If people put the effort in, they can get the money they need," Di Capua says. "It's just a matter of the House Committee putting in effort to have a good dance. You have to advertise a lot, and have a cool idea, a different idea."

Di Capua says finances sometimes get a little tight at the end of the year, but that he doesn't need any more money from the council.

" All I want from my U.C. is a really good Springfest. If that meant not giving me $500, then go for it," he says. "But we'll always take money if it's offered."