Not suprised tbh.
In http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2017/7/13/new-sanctions/ , the following is perhaps the relevant summary:
I.e. the “social groups” that are being targeted are final clubs, fraternities, sororities, and similar organizations.
Interesting they didn’t bother to mention Oberlin which has banned fraternities/sororities and other socially exclusive “secret societies” or maintaining membership in them during their undergrad careers as a condition of admission and continuing enrollment since the 1870’s.
Granted, Harvard may face more challenges due to the fact many of their alums…especially pre-mid '60’s tended to come from backgrounds where high SES status, wealth, connections, and the associated social exclusivity were much more important in determining admission/enrollment than one’s academic stats unless one was from the minority of students middle/lower SES.
EXCELLENT! Glad to see these groups banished:)
Here’s an interesting tidbit: When I google “what do williams’ students do for fun?” the below link comes up with this comment: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/williams-college/915009-fun-at-williams.html
So, unless Harvard’s administration is going to take Williams’ lead and THROW ALL-CAMPUS parties, what are Harvard student’s going to do for F-U-N!!!
BYU did this years ago. Glad the tippy tops are finally following suit.
But then who are we independents going to raid for free food, drinks, and to piss off those who view themselves as our “social betters”? 
Some colleges have the crazy idea that their students should be able freely join clubs, and that many provide leadership and other opportunities to the members that other school organizations do not. I know that members of the Harvard chapter of my sorority have been captains of sports teams (including the Harvard ski team, which is co-ed) and campus leaders in other activities including newspapers, academic clubs, and student government. Many joined because although women are now allowed to join Hasty Pudding and the finals clubs, women are NOT given leadership roles in those organizations. They take the time to go to meetings and do activities in the community because they aren’t welcome on campus as equals.
Maybe instead of looking at Williams and Colby, two tiny schools in tiny towns so the schools can restrict outside influences, Harvard should compare itself to Yale and MIT and Tufts, where the fraternity and sorority participation is growing, and they are recognized organizations, not forced to meet secretly off campus. One MIT woman was merely able to become a Rhodes Scholar while being a member a few years ago. When you see pictures of the members, the groups are much more diverse than most sorority pictures from Alabama or Ohio State or anywhere in Southern California.
Why can’t adults choose who to associate with if it isn’t on campus and isn’t taking student funds? Shouldn’t I get to join the Knights of Columbus or Black Women’s Social Club or the Daughters of the American Revolution if I want to? How about the Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts?
The kids at Harvard don’t seem to have any trouble finding FUN without the final clubs
^^ Okay tell that to the members of A.D., Delphic, Fly, Fox, Owl, Phoenix, Porcelain, Bee, IC, Pleiades, La Vie, Sab, Spee, Alpha Epsilon Pi, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Delta Kappa Epsilon, Alpha Phi, Delta Gamma, Kappa, Alpha Theta, or Kappa Kappa Gamma.
Another brick in the stupid wall for faculty. And they wonder why they get little respect and are dragging down respect for higher ed.
As a private institution, Harvard, like Williams, Midd, or Oberlin reserves its right to free association as well…and that includes having the right to regulate their students’ behaviors/activities on or off campus.
By the same token, private employers or organizations could use that same right to deny employment or membership on the basis of membership in other organizations unless the denial touches on one of the EEOC protected classes.
Not to say I necessarily agree 100% with this…especially if this drive is faculty driven alone rather than one driven by most of the entire community including the majority of students as was the case with Oberlin’s eventual banning of such organizations back in the 1870’s after most felt they had a corrosive effect on the campus social fabric.
Not to be focused on the present, but we’ll all have graduated by then.
And it’s “Porcellian.” “Porcelain” is something totally different. 
I just think it is silly and too Stepford Wives for my taste. It is as if they just want a campus full of kids that want to follow the thought du jour.
An ironic choice as the Stepford Wives stereotype is derived more from stereotypes more often associated with those who tend to gravitate towards and join such socially exclusive organizations than those who don’t/can’t.
Just goes to show in loco parentis isn’t dead.
I disagree. The Stepford Wives were to follow the rules without question. Now Harvard is staying ‘do it our way, what is good for one is good for all. Don’t think for yourselves by deciding which organizations to join.’ Many schools do not have Greek life, and that’s fine. Most don’t ban students from joining outside organizations.
I also don’t think an employer can regulate what clubs you join on your own time. No employer I’ve ever had, including the US government, has done that. They have said not to bring the clubs into work, don’t wear political buttons, leave your Luke Skywalker outfit at home, but they aren’t telling me if I join an all female group (or continue with the ones I belong to) that I won’t be promoted, won’t be nominated for awards, won’t have my work supported because I belong to an outside group.
The school doesn’t have to support these social clubs, doesn’t have to allow students to sign out space for meetings on campus, but to punish them for doing something off campus really is too controlling for me.
Yes, but some of those that do ban such organizations are schools Harvard regards as peers. What the faculty is suggesting is somewhat radical in light of Harvard’s traditions, but it has a fair amount of precedent at other elite colleges (where it also appeared radical when first proposed, and then it was fine).
Harvard’s existing social clubs seem disproportionately toxic for some reason, and they will be very difficult to dislodge. I can see where a complete ban is the most, and maybe the only, chance to get rid of them.