Harvard University - Greek Life

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

Enamored of the ridiculous antics of the frat boys from Animal House? If so, then Harvard probably is not the place for you. Fraternities and sororities are not officially recognized on campus, though in recent years, they have increased their presence as unofficial organizations. Without houses, these organizations do not have the ability to throw the parties one expects of a healthy Greek system, although they occasionally rent out Boston clubs or take over dorm rooms to throw enormous bashes.

In place of a Greek system, Harvard has the controversial institution known as the “finals club.” These clubs are often criticized as the remnants of the “Old Boys” network of Harvard days of yore. They selectively offer membership after a student’s freshman year and serve an important role in an otherwise lean on-campus social scene.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

We don’t have Greek life. The... We don’t have Greek life. The University does not officially recognize [fraternities and sororities]. On the other hand, we do have finals clubs where most girls go, but not the boys, since they can’t get in. If people really want to socialize, you go to the parties in the upperclass Houses or in the Quad—they’re famous for parties. 12345 Greek Life Report

long says: Harvard University 2014 Psychology

Sigma Chi throws some sweet... Sigma Chi throws some sweet parties. 12345 Greek Life: June 02, 2009 Report

Anonymous says:

Fraternities and sororities exist... Fraternities and sororities exist unofficially at Harvard and really have no major presence on campus. There’s no Greek week or crazy frat parties. Instead, Harvard features final clubs, an upscale version of fraternities. These clubs are over 100 years old, and members meet in multi-million dollar clubhouses around campus. These clubs are also unofficial, but they throw a good number of parties and tend to be late night hangouts for people once the bars close at 2 a.m. 12345 Greek Life Report

Anonymous says:

The Greek life is minor at Harvard... The Greek life is minor at Harvard because the frats and sororities are relatively new additions to campus that have been initiated in the hopes of creating a fuller social scene. Greeks have to rent out spaces to throw their functions, so they are shadowed in comparison to older establishments with their own space such as the finals clubs. However, some frats do throw mean parties. 12345 Greek Life Report

Anonymous says:

With very few frats and... With very few frats and sororities, the Greek life is completely avoidable. Finals clubs are a little harder to hide from if you’re not into them, but after freshmen year, they don’t have as big of a presence, as long as you’re not in one. The finals club parties are great for freshman girls, but bad for just about everyone else not in the club. 12345 Greek Life Report

Facts

Did You Know?

Fraternities and sororities are not officially recognized on campus, although in recent years, Greek life has been unofficially gaining
a stronger presence.

As an alternative, Harvard offers final clubs. These are also unofficial (in that they’re owned independently, by alumni organizations). The final clubs include: AD, Delphic, Fly, Fox, Owl, Phoenix, Porcellian, and Spee. Each of these clubs is exclusively male.

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