Halls of ivy

[AAllan at AOL.COM]

Does anyone have a good etymological answer to this question? - Allan Metcalf

>>  I am asking for your help.  The phrase _halls of ivy_ has few references
in encyclopedias or dictionaries.  Somewhere I remember hearing that it
referred to the Roman numeral _IV_ for the four original universities in
this country.  Surely it is not simply from the tradition of planting
university buildings with ivy?  <<

The inquirer is J.C. Ellis at:  msjce1 at juno.com. Please let Ellis know, but
let us know too.