A good time can be hard to find

If Harvard students had a nickel for every time they or their friends criticized campus social life, the College would probably churn out fewer consultants or investment bankers.

While no one expects the MTV 'Party to Go' team to move shop from Cancun to the MAC Quad most students agree that there can be constructive solutions to their malaise, and some say they are already happy with their social lives.

Envisioning their ideal campus social scene, students proposed a variety of ideas, but few believe that Harvard needs social catalysts that are institutions at other campuses, like a university-supported Greek system.

"The problem I see with fraternities and sororities is that the same clique mentality [associated with final clubs] is there," says Undergraduate Council Vice-President Kamil E. Redmond'00. "We talk about community here all the time. Rather than talking about a Greek system, I think we need to talk about opening up that community."

While other students agree that campus social life is disappointingly fragmented, some say fraternities and sororities can actually improve campus community.

"I know when I've gone to other universities I've had a really good time at fraternities that are there because anyone can go, unlike final clubs where only the final clubs guys can go," says Rachel Perez '99, "Even if you go to the fraternities all the time you still meet different people."

While it is not difficult to find students who heartily concur with Redmond's characterization of final clubs as "racist, sexist, elitist, etc.," others felt that the problems with final clubs as they currently exist are not intractable.

"I think the ideal situation would be a scenario where women and men each had their own final clubs, all affiliated with the school," says Phoenix, S.K. Club PresidentSimon S. Cheng '00. "If that were resolved we'dalso be affiliated with Harvard, which would solvea lot of liability issues."

Redmond herself believes that "finals clubs canco-exist with the Harvard community."

"I think that if we can have larger Harvardparties, we can negate some of the ill effects offinal clubs," she continues.

Students did suggest solutions to their senseof social fragmentation that do not involveprivate clubs. As McComma Grayson '00 says, astudent center might go a long way toward bringingtogether students that might not ordinarily runinto each other.

"I see a student center serving as a gathering groundfor people to meet, talk and chat at variouspoints during the day and the afternoon," Graysonsays. "Some people go to bars and like to drink,and others don't. This might be a way to foster arapport from ground zero."

Other students had proposals that were a littlebit more imaginative, such as Perez's suggestionthat The Crimson make an effort to advertisecampus social events.

In addition to expanding House institutionslike the well-loved stein clubs, Redmond suggestedcampus-wide parties outdoors with DJs and alcohol.

"[We need] parties in large open areas, like inHarvard Yard in a huge tent or in the MAC Quad,"says Redmond. "That's part of the problem--that wehave all of these parties marginalized in studentrooms."

Redmond also believes that the council's recentdiscussing of a new student center and increasedspace for student groups indicates a growingconcern with campus social issues amongundergraduates.

Despite the flaws they identified in Harvard'ssocial scene, students said they were more or lesshappy with the social lives they had created forthemselves.

"I've been very satisfied with my social lifehere," says John N. Belitsos '02. "I've found thatI have the option to be as social as I want tobe."

When all is said and done, most students werejust as willing to lay the responsibility forhaving a good time on their own shoulders as theywere to blame University policy or problems withsocial venues.

"Number one, students need to take a lot moreinitiative in creating a social life forthemselves," Redmond says, "They expect theUniversity to take care of them, but they need tostep up to the plate.

Redmond herself believes that "finals clubs canco-exist with the Harvard community."

"I think that if we can have larger Harvardparties, we can negate some of the ill effects offinal clubs," she continues.

Students did suggest solutions to their senseof social fragmentation that do not involveprivate clubs. As McComma Grayson '00 says, astudent center might go a long way toward bringingtogether students that might not ordinarily runinto each other.

"I see a student center serving as a gathering groundfor people to meet, talk and chat at variouspoints during the day and the afternoon," Graysonsays. "Some people go to bars and like to drink,and others don't. This might be a way to foster arapport from ground zero."

Other students had proposals that were a littlebit more imaginative, such as Perez's suggestionthat The Crimson make an effort to advertisecampus social events.

In addition to expanding House institutionslike the well-loved stein clubs, Redmond suggestedcampus-wide parties outdoors with DJs and alcohol.

"[We need] parties in large open areas, like inHarvard Yard in a huge tent or in the MAC Quad,"says Redmond. "That's part of the problem--that wehave all of these parties marginalized in studentrooms."

Redmond also believes that the council's recentdiscussing of a new student center and increasedspace for student groups indicates a growingconcern with campus social issues amongundergraduates.

Despite the flaws they identified in Harvard'ssocial scene, students said they were more or lesshappy with the social lives they had created forthemselves.

"I've been very satisfied with my social lifehere," says John N. Belitsos '02. "I've found thatI have the option to be as social as I want tobe."

When all is said and done, most students werejust as willing to lay the responsibility forhaving a good time on their own shoulders as theywere to blame University policy or problems withsocial venues.

"Number one, students need to take a lot moreinitiative in creating a social life forthemselves," Redmond says, "They expect theUniversity to take care of them, but they need tostep up to the plate.