According to Jon D. Doolittle '97, president of the Kappa Eta chapter of Sigma Chi, the chapter is often inaccurately compared to final clubs.

Final clubs are strictly social organizations designed for their members' enjoyment, while the fraternity chapter is "an award-winning community service organization," Doolittle said.

The chapter last year was one of seven recipients of the Cambridge School Volunteers, Inc. Mack J. Davis II Award for Extraordinary Service to the Cambridge Public Schools.

Doolittle said that although the chapter makes it a point to have some non-alcoholic social events, its reputation is hurt by the stereotype of rowdy fraternities.

"We would love to help Harvard understand this but I think the administration understands their perceptions of fraternities in general [and doesn't] understand our chapter," he said.

Last spring, then-acting Dean of Students Sarah E. Flatley, adhering to University policy, barred the chapter from sponsoring a charity concert for Children's Miracle Network. The concert was held in Sanders Theater in February. Although Sigma Chi organized it, Harvard Glee Club Lite was the official sponsor, Doolittle said.

But the College's restrictions on Greek societies and final clubs may actually give the groups more freedom, according to Chestney, the Theta chapter president.

If the College owned the society's house, it would be able to regulate the parties inside it, she said.

And although the organizations are not allowed to poster on campus, Doolittle said undergraduate interest in the chapter is growing.

Chestney said, however, she does not want or expect the Greek system to dominate the social life at Harvard. She said she does not think her chapter will ever surpass 100 members.

There are eight final clubs, with about 350 members total.

Members of final clubs interviewed last night expressed ambivalence about the growth of Greek life at Harvard.

Donald W. Young '96-'97, a member of a final club, said he is excited to see the increased Greek presence because he thinks it will add to the social life at Harvard. "God knows we need the help," he said.

But Colbert H. Cannon '97, a member of the Porcellian, said he is not sure he wants to see Greek organizations recognized by the University. He said he feels those clubs dominate campus social life in a way final clubs do not, citing the fact that Greek members live in their fraternity and sorority houses