When Scott A. Penner '01 helped found the Harvard chapter of Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) two years ago, there were only 10 brothers.

Past Harvard students had tried to form the same fraternity. Twice. And failed.

This time, things were different. With the addition of the current pledge class, total membership will be almost 30.

Last night, AEPi received official word that they will receive the highest honor a national fraternity can earn--an official charter.

"For us [Harvard], it's huge because we know we're making it to the next step," says, Penner, now the president of AEPi. "Gaining a charter is akin to having a Bar Mitzvah--everyone makes a big deal of it."

The fact that AEPi is gaining a charter--the ceremony is scheduled for April 21--bodes well for the future of Greek life at Harvard.

"National Greek councils will begin to look at Harvard and realize that it's possible to have chapters here," Penner says.

But AEPi isn't the only Greek organization on campus that's seen such a boom--interest in fraternities and sororities has been steadily on the rise for the past few years.