When the Harvard-Radcliffe Opportunes went to Cooke to request an office earlier this year after losing their space in Currier House, she suggested that they look to the Houses instead. "[Epps and Cooke] couldn't really do anything because there were so many groups [looking for space]," says Marcy E. Beller '00, president of the a cappella group.

Some groups--like Harvard-Radcliffe Television--have made the Houses their homes.

Epps, meanwhile, suggests that students consider purchasing private space.

"I recommend, if at all possible, for people to buy their own space and not rely on the University because its commitment to student activities over the years has been so inconsistent," Epps says.

A Land of their Own

The largest amount of student office space on campus is, in fact, privately owned, accounting for 65 percent of Harvard's student office resources. Groups that own their own space include Harvard Student Agencies, the Catholic Student Association and The Crimson.

The International Relations Council (IRC) is trying to join those ranks. With readership booming, the International Review, a quarterly magazine under the auspices of IRC, requires more and more space.

"When they put out the magazine...they basically take over the rest of the office," says Ali J.Q. Satvat, IRC president. "[Their own area] is not enough space to fit their needs."

As a result, the IRC has begun exploring other space options, including purchasing a private office and petitioning for space in the proposed Knafel Center, which will house the Center for International Studies.

While cost is the primary impediment, the group is also weighing the benefits of staying in the Yard.

"One thing that we love about Thayer is that it's right in the middle of

everything, and it's so secure," Satvat says. "It's on campus, so we don't have to deal with a lot of hassle."

But with the International Review continuing to expand, the IRC may be forced to relinquish their coveted Yard space.

"We're not at that point now, but I can certainly see us getting there in the near future," Satvat says.

Still, more fledgling student groups are formed every year--almost a tripling of organizations since 1980--and few have the means to finance their own buildings.

With little new space to dole out, the Dean of Students Office is in a no-win situation.

Epps has dreams for a new building, College Hall, where student groups could work, practice and perform under one roof.

Such a project would require space and funding of its own--both of which have yet to materialize.

"I have run out of options," says Epps. "We need a scope change--a new building."