People often joke that Harvard social life is an oxymoron. But after last semester's flood of changes in the "final club" system, one of the last vestiges of a campus party scene, that line may not be so funny.

For most of their 200-year history, final clubs have acted as gentlemen's clubs where young Harvard men hung out with their friends to eat meals, play cards, read the paper, network with alumni and maybe have a drink (or two).

But over the past 25 years, as undergraduates changed, the clubs have changed too.

In recent years, as Harvard cracked down on partying in the Houses, the clubs picked up the social life slack by creating a late night scene for dancing and drinking, leading to both personal and legal problems for the clubs.

Graduates of the clubs were unhappy with the shift, especially when considering their liability for accidents involving alcohol.

"We did not want to throw away 150 years of special experiences with foolish partying," said former Spee club trustee John W. Sears '52.

In a dramatic shift in policies last semester, five of the eight all-male clubs now ban guests. The other three clubs examined their visitor policies and strengthened their commitment to limiting the number of non-members in the clubhouses.

Undergraduate members who decide to defy graduates face the possibility of clubs shutting doors to student members or even closing down entirely.

Several newer organizations are attempting to fill the gap by providing social alternatives, but real estate in Harvard Square is extremely expensive and very few of the young social groups have the resources to purchase property.

The Sigma Chi fraternity bought a house a few years ago, but none of the all-female social organizations--the "Bee" final club, two sororities and the developing "Seneca" club--have their own building.

The Delta Upsilon fraternity, which a group of students resurrected at the end of last year, is also homeless.

"It'll be interesting to see how Harvard College responds to filling the void that the clubs may leave if current restrictions continue," said Rev. Douglas W. Sears '69, president of the Interclub Council. "What are they going to do?"

--Victoria C. Hallett