From its earliest designs, Harvard's residential Houses were meant to integrate learning and living.

But when House residents err--whether it be for underage drinking or plagiarism--House administrators must walk a fine line to discipline appropriately.

After all, says Dunster House Master Karel F. Liem, Houses are "educational insitutions and not houses of correction."

And according to many, finding the right balance of punishment and lenience in discipline cases is one of the hardest jobs for House leaders--particularly Alston Burr Senior Tutors.

"We're all teachers," says Lowell House Senior Tutor Eugene C. McAfee. "What we want is for our students to see for themselves what's wrong and to see why the right behavior is so important."

But with access to student's confidential files and a seat on Harvard's disciplinary body--the Administrative Board--senior tutors have the power to inflict a broad spectrum of punishments on students.

Many admit, however, thar finding the right punishment is a mix of judgement and experience.

"The tricky part from the perspective of students is that they often feel patronized by a sense that we have this attitude, that we're treating them like children," McAfee says.