Thus fraternity houses are not key to the fraternity experience here. In fact, many members say that not having houses makes Harvard fraternities even stronger.
"The biggest advantage of fraternities at Harvard is the fact that members are closer knit, since they don't have houses. It makes for a strong feeling of brotherhood," Taxin says.
Still, fraternities are looking to acquire real estate to lend their groups a more institutionalized feel.
Zeta Psi, for example, recently approached the national organization, which is willing to fund a house. However, members cite the problem of high real estate prices in Cambridge, and the adequacy of the house system as a residential option.
"The idea of getting a house is not to become another final club. It would be a place for people to live and participate in the community," says the Zeta Psi president.
Tomorrow in the series: The Crimson examines the Hasty Pudding social club.