But although a significant number of women have been involved in cases of infraction of that policy, Mackay-Smith said a majority of the cases brought before the Ad Board have involved men.

She said, "generally, the impression I have is that drinking is an increasing problem in the student body. I don't have the impression that more women are drinking."

However L. Fred Jewett '57, dean of the college, said he has not recently perceived an unusual rise in drinking among the student body. "For the past several years, many major disciplinary problems have been related to alcohol abuse," he said.

Jewett also said women are equally involved in AD Board cases relating to alcohol abuse.

Recent scientific research has found that women have physiological disadvantages when it comes to drinking.

According to Dr. Grace Chang assistant professor of psychiatry at the Medical School, women get intoxicated much faster than men.

"Recent research suggests that women metabolize alcohol differently than men and are more sensitive to smaller amounts of alcohol," she said. Chang cites smaller body mass and different alcohol absorption processes in women as the causes of this.

Why many college women drink has a lot to do with social issues, said counselors and students.

"There are broader societal pressures woman might feel in general such as what they're supposed to look like and be like in terms of parenting and that whole realm," said Christina S. Griffith, assistant dean of first year students.

"Obviously women and alcohol have the added factor of risk of date rape and other sexual abuse," Griffith said.

According to Ducey, both college women and men are affected by similar personal and environmental factors in their decision to drink. "it is their first time away from home," he said. "They associate alcohol with freedom, loosening inhibitions, being more social and exploring sexuality."

But Ducey asserted that this type of drinking isn't necessarily problem drinking. He said that instance of misusing alcohol have many sources. "[W]Omen's problem drinking is traced to the break-up of romantic relation ships more frequently than problem drinking in men," he said.

One senior, who asked not to be identified, said that she has been drinking at least two or three times a week since ninth grade to lighten up the atmosphere and to loosen her inhibitions.

"I think it's perfectly socially acceptable for women to drink. I don't remember ever feeling what it was less socially acceptable," she said.

Eva F. Ho '94 drinks a few beers with her male friends about twice a week "just for fun." She said that women at Harvard seem either to drinks a lot or not at all.