Behind many good House masters is an army of elves--Santa's helpers of sorts, who assist with House functions in exchange for free room and board.

For House masters, who juggle professional life along with heavy responsibilities at the House, elves play a crucial role in carrying off House events like teas and open houses.

"They always save the day," says Pforzheimer House Co-Master M. Suzanne McCarthy, recalling a former elf who worked as a flight attendant and would fly in desserts from Paris for House events.

While technically open to anyone willing to spend between 10 and 15 hours each week to organize, cook for and clean up after House events such as teas and open houses, the posts are most often filled by grad students, teaching fellows and recent graduates--lured by free Cambridge housing.

And while the seven Houses that use live-in help say the elves' presence adds to House life and community, in a time when Houses are more cramped then ever, some wonder whether housing elves is the best use of College space.

The Best-Kept Non-Secret

Little known on campus, the elf system has been in existence for at least 20 years, according to Quincy House Co-Master Marjorie L. North.

Known more formally as Masters' Resident Assistants (MRA), the "elf" name is indigenous to Quincy House, where North says it "just stuck."