Though space in the Square is rare for social groups - Sigma Chi is homeless and its former 43-45 Mt. Auburn St. house is up for sale - their growth may increasingly offer social alternatives to the finals clubs scene

When Eliot J. Rushovich ’03 was a sophomore, he feared the fraternity he’d just joined, Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi), was on its last legs.

“Going into my sophomore year, we lost all of our founding fathers and ended up [with] 12 people,” Rushovich said.

Now those worries seem far behind. AEPi is flourishing, with 40 members at last count. Indeed, Greek life at Harvard seems alive and healthy.

“Toward the end of the year every weekend, one fraternity was having a party,” said Rushovich, a former AEPi president. “Fraternities are offering an alternative social environment, one that is more interested in everyone having a good time.”

More and more, some students say, final clubs are ceasing to be as dominant a force in the social lives of students—both men and women.

The founding this year of Harvard’s third female social club and its fifth fraternity was the latest sign of the upswing in organized social options available to undergraduates.

The growth of some groups is also furthering a slow movement to give women more control over their social lives.

A Space of Their Own

Founded by 16 women last spring to provide another outlet for women to socialize with each other, the Isis touts itself as a middle ground between the application-dependent Seneca and the exclusive Bee club.

“Same-sex clubs have many advantages for building friendships,” said acting President and Co-Punchmaster Sarah C. Geisler ’03 in October. “We wanted to give women this option.”

The popularity of these alternatives shows in the numbers. At its first punch this fall, the Isis punched 130 women, wooing them with wine and cheese. About 40 were accepted.

About 100 women applied this year to the Seneca, a social club founded in 1999 which also emphasizes women’s advocacy. The Seneca accepted 17.

And nearly 90 women rushed the Delta Gamma (DG) sorority, which eventually accepted 26 new members.

“It’s very important even for people who aren’t in sororities to have options open where women have control over their social scene,” said Chafen C. Watkins ’03, vice president of DG.

Their philosophy seems to have appeal.