Smith said that about 6630 students are expected to register.

Some student groups feel that not being able to publicize their groups to upperclass students will hurt participation.

"That period of time is definitely an opportunity to reach out to all Black students on campus and others interested in BSA," said Kristen M. Clarke '97, president of Black Students Association.

She said the BSA gains new members in the spring as a result of tabling at registration.

And Joshua E. Greenfield '97, managing editor of the Harvard College Economist, said the magazine would have to rely heavily on other means of publicity.

"Certainly [registration is] the way I found about it and decided to become involved," Greenfield said.

But other groups may not be affected. "I don't think it's going to affect us very much," said Vincent Pan '95-'96, president of Phillips Brooks House. He said that Phillips Brooks House recruits volunteers mainly by advertising their own open house.

Referring to the tabling at registration, Pan said, "My impression is that upperclassmen skip that whole thing anyway."

And Leora I. Horwitz '96 of the Harvard Radcliffe Orchestra said that most music groups recruit new members only in the fall, so they do not table during spring registration