Despite the accepting times, one group of people was still stigmatized: gay students.

"One thing that strikes me was the lack of gay organizations, as opposed to today," Russakoff says. "There was an incredible amount of pressure to stay in the closet."

"Being gay in the 1970s was completely underground," Parry said. "There were very few brave gay students who formed organizations on campus. It was completely unacceptable in society in general and among your professors."

A Carefree Atmosphere

Overall, though, the students' easy attitudes shaped their lives and their academics.

One of the biggest differences between Harvard in the early 1970s and Harvard now is the increase in pressure and competitiveness, members of the Class of 1974 say.

"I went to a football game last year and there were almost no undergrads," says Parry, who has been a Harvard admissions representative for Southern California. "Students today are more fragmented in terms of their time, because they are far more serious about their grades and studying. Going to a football game isn't as high on a student's agenda."

"Our attitude was that if you went to an Ivy League school, there was an entitlement. We assumed we'd get great jobs," he adds.

One thing that hasn't changed, though, is the friendships made. As students today are told, the best part of Harvard is the students.

"We were the largest incoming black class in Harvard history," says Green, who herself is black. "And we did all sorts of stuff."

Green remembers a couple of black students who approached her to ask if she wanted to join a singing group.

"I was like, 'Yeah, yeah, 15 people are going to show up and you're all gonna get bored,'" Green says.

Still, she joined. And what was once just singing with her friends became much more. Today Kuumba is one of Harvard's biggest attractions, drawing huge crowds to their performances.

Russakoff also says the best part of Harvard were the friendships she formed.

"I looked up to and admired my peers," she says. "Some of my best friends in life were next door and across the hall."