Quincy, Adams, Animal?

Slowly but surely, Harvard is moving down the road to becoming State U. The growing presence of fraternities and sororities on campus signals the decline of Harvard's uniqueness and its absorption by mundane college culture.

White male Harvard students always had an outlet if they sought classist elitism--the final clubs. Though exclusive and generally distasteful, at least these clubs could claim to be an indigenous Harvard phenomenon. Other students seeking a private space could help to explain the relatively recent advent of national fraternities and sororities. The appearance of women's Kappa Alpha Theta and Delta Gamma chapters in the last two years was accompanied by a chapter of Lambda Gamma Lambda, a predominantly Hispanic fraternity.

These fraternities and sororities undermine the diverse, co-educational structure of Harvard's dormitory life. While the Yard and houses promote feelings of togetherness and tolerance, organizations that discriminate because of sex or race detract from Harvard's egalitarian spirit. One need not even mention the other kinds of discrimination that traditionally pervade selection processes for fraternities and sororities.

The University recognizes neither the final clubs nor any nationally-based organizations, but the fraternities' and sororities' influence has been spreading nonetheless. As recently as a year ago, only a few illicit posters put up at Harvard by students of other institutions bore Greek letters. Now, Harvard's own unofficial fraternities and sororities illegitimately publicize their functions on the University's kiosks.

The image of keg-toting denizens of a fraternity party and their equally intoxicated sorority women won't necessarily manifest itself at Harvard. Still, the University faces the danger of a segmented, decentralized society that no longer focuses on the Yard and houses.

Fortunately, many obstacles that have already impeded the growth of fraternities and sororities will continue to do so. Because of the exorbitant prices of real estate, obtaining a "frat house" in Harvard's vicinity costs more than most young organizations can afford. More importantly, many students see fraternities as a superfluous part of an already-rich college life.

Nationally-based or not, fraternities and sororities will never achieve official recognition on campus. University-sanctioned organizations must be open to all except when membership depends on merit. No student can be prohibited from joining the Asian American Association or the Harvard-Radcliffe Black Students Association, yet students can be excluded from fraternities and sororities at the whim of the other members.

The disappearance of final clubs, fraternities and sororities would surely benefit Harvard. All students could benefit from bringing the College's social life out from behind closed doors. Everyone complains that Harvard's social scene falls short of expectations, but no one should have to join an exclusive, discriminatory organization in order to fulfill those expectations.

There's nothing inherently wrong with someone who joins a fraternity or a sorority. However, the cultivation of such organizations can only hurt Harvard in the long run. The University should fight to preserve the unique environment of the Yard and houses, as well as the group identity they foster. Those who find Harvard's setting inadequate can find greener pastures at--you guessed it--State U.

Daniel Altman's column appears on alternate Mondays.