WHILE IT IS TRUE that many students are abstaining from sex out of fear, disease or possible criminal prosecution, one also has to consider the people who are saying "no" themselves--Harvard students.

What is it about Harvard that encourages students to put on this communal chastity belt? It's probably not Michael Berry's clandestine efforts to season the food with sexual depressants. If only it were that simple.

A closer look at average Harvard students and our environment shows that stagnant sex life is the logical outcome of our particular circumstances.

The first characteristic that comes to mind about the typical Harvard student is a high degree of academic and extracurricular dedication. Many students, continuing a habit established in high school, devote large blocks of time to activities that naturally draw them away from the development of interpersonal social skills. Have you ever been to The Crimson?

We're also a pretty egocentric bunch. For all our lives, many Harvard students have been the focus of attention from parents, teachers and friends. As a result, we never learned to share or consider another person's perspective.

When it comes time for a relationship, students inevitably have trouble talking about something other than themselves--or worse, listening to what others have to say. Just think, when was the last time someone ever let you finish a sentence around here?

This self-centeredness can also create fragile egos. After having been accepted to such a prestigious institution as Harvard, an unusually high number of students are afraid to face possible rejection from a mere mortal.

Structural problems abound within this Puritan institution as well. Some students have complained that there is no physical building here like a student center where one can go to just hang out, especially for first-years who don't have house grills or other social spots.

In Yard life, the suite configurations preclude any common room for entire entries. "You just end up spending time in your room without meeting many new people," said one first-year too embarrassed to be named in an editorial about sex.

"It's not very easy flirting with a facebook," said another first-year. "There aren't any casual social gatherings and you can't just spill cereal on her lap in the Union either."

So what is the remedy for this affliction of loneliness? Luckily, I have a three-point plan which might help some of the lovelorn and/or sex-starved.

1. Harvard students should adopt the friendliness rules of Wal-Mart. If you come within 10 feet of another individual, smile, look them in the eye and greet them with either hello, good morning or my, you look ravishing. (Caution: Use the third greeting sparingly, lest you appear insincere.) Even if you do not attract members of the opposite sex, you will at least contribute to making Harvard a more civil place.

2. Look around your entry and be prepared to sacrifice personality or looks for convenience. This cuts down on precious commuting time and gives you an excuse for frequent but short study breaks.

3. Take a chance. Lighten up. (Note: These are to be done in conjunction with each other. It is not either/or.)

And then maybe we'll all be able to have a peach.

Dan Markel '95, a Crimson writer, is taking a chance this weekend. But he's doing it in New Haven. He knows it wouldn't make a defference in Cambridge.