Princeton eating clubs?

Byerly
Sun, 16 Oct 2005 01:00:53 +0000

There is no valid basis for comparing the “final clubs” at Harvard, or the “secret societies” at Yale, with Princeton’s “eating clubs”. And you know it, Scottie.

“Final club” and “secret society” membership is, and alway has been, something of interest to a tiny fraction of the student body at those schools. They serve no meals. Most students are hardly aware of their existance on a day to day basis.

On the other hand, the “eating clubs” and the “bicker” system have dominated social life at Princeton, where there are few social alternatives, and, historically, a large majority of the student body find that they must join an “eating club” or face far less attractive alternatives. The fact that, historically, there has always been something of a caste system among the "eating clubs, has contributed to the unhealthy aspect of the “peculiar institution.”

But - once again - I am glad to see that the ananchronism is under seige - and that the administration plans to reduce the pervasive influence of the “eating clubs” with all deliberate speed. Princeton will be the better for it, and they will loser fewer applicants who find that the concept makes them uneasy.