If Harvard students had a nickel for every time they or their friends criticized campus social life, the College would probably churn out fewer consultants or investment bankers.

While no one expects the MTV 'Party to Go' team to move shop from Cancun to the MAC Quad, most students agree that there can be constructive solutions to their malaise, and some say they are already happy with their social lives.

Envisioning their ideal campus social scene, students proposed a variety of ideas, but few believe that Harvard needs social catalysts that are institutions at other campuses, like a university-supported Greek system.

"The problem I see with fraternities and sororities is that the same clique mentality [associated with final clubs] is there," says Undergraduate Council Vice-President Kamil E. Redmond '00. "We talk about community here all the time. Rather than talking about a Greek system, I think we need to talk about opening up that community."

While other students agree that campus social life is disappointingly fragmented, some say fraternities and sororities can actually improve campus community.

"I know when I've gone to other universities I've had a really good time at fraternities that are there because anyone can go, unlike final clubs where only the final clubs guys can go," says Rachel Perez '99. "Even if you go to the fraternities all the time you still meet different people."

While it is not difficult to find students who heartily concur with Redmond's characterization of final clubs as "racist, sexist, elitest, etc.," others felt that the problems with final clubs as they currently exist are not intractable.

"I think the ideal situation would be a scenario where women and men each had their own final clubs, all affiliated with the school," says Phoenix, S.K. Club President Simon S. Cheng '00. "If that were resolved we'd also be affiliated with Harvard, which would solve a lot of liability issues."

Redmond herself believes that "finals clubs can co-exist with the Harvard community."