Students spend a lot of time contemplating their futures. University officials spend a lot time contemplating the future of the University. But who's contemplating the future of the 'Street?'
For some students, notably blacks and Hispanics, that is not an idle question.
Some minority students, as well as club presidents, are optimistic about the 'Street' becoming a more diverse place. But many disagreed over who would have to take the initiative in making the changes. Some felt the answer to increasing racial diversity on the 'Street' lies in changing perceptions, either of what being a minority means or of the image of the 'Street.'
'Racial identity'
"People think that there is one black experience. . . but there is more than one," Erica David '99 said. "You can be in a club and maintain your racial identity."
She said the clubs could take measures to improve the situation. She noted that each club could organize a roundtable where all members would meet to share their feelings and experiences. In this way, according to David, the clubs could make their members aware of the viewpoints of minority members.
Charter Club member Jessica Marquez '99, president of Organizacion Latinoamericana, said she thinks the reason the clubs have historically had low black and Hispanic membership levels is "more tradition than anything else."
The problems of perception and membership form a vicious cycle, some students said. A club is perceived to be unfriendly to minorities if it does not have many minority members, and minorities choose against joining a club which they perceive as being unfriendly.
The 'Street' has not yet reached a "critical mass" in minority membership, as ICC president Jim White '98 put it, and so problems persist in the relationship between minorities and the clubs.
Some students said they feel the clubs need to take a more active role in planning and hosting events that would appeal to minorities.
"We encourage (diversity) every single year, every chance we get," said Tower Club president Mark Basile '98. "It's definitely something we actively work towards. Whether these efforts actually help to increase ethnic and racial diversity I don't really know, I've talked to several minorities in Tower to try to get ideas for increasing minority membership in the club."
The clubs may feel some reluctance to do this, however, White said. Tension arises from the fact that eating clubs are ultimately financial institutions concerned about the "bottom line" and focusing on attracting such a small population may not make financial sense, he explained.
White said that while more minority-oriented events may improve the clubs' appeal, most clubs cannot afford to fund events that may only appeal to a small segment of the overall population.
"First and foremost, we want to be around next year," said Kris Smith '98, Campus Club president. "Targeting minorities doesn't make that much sense in the overall picture."
Clubs ultimately cater to their members, Smith added. It is often difficult to cater to minority interests if there are not many members who are minorities.
The ICC recognizes that many minorities feel uncomfortable joining eating clubs, said White. However, the council has yet to determine how to address the problem of minority's perception.
One club that seems to have had some success in breaking the cycle of minority perception and non-participation is Quad. Last year, with lagging overall membership, the club went on a recruiting spree, drawing members from diverse sectors of the campus, said former president Sean McLean '98.
Now with 120 members, and the largest population of black students of any eating club, Quad has become a popular hangout for many minorities, McLean said. He said he attributes the change to broadening the image of the club.
"We got (the high minority membership) because of a different kind of attitude. It has been my experience that a lot of minorities don't feel comfortable at the 'Street.' Here, you never feel like you're being judged," McLean said.
"A lot of people joined Quad because they thought, 'We can go in there and not have stereotypes,'" Marquez said.
This year, events at Quad have become more diverse, including musical styles such as hip-hop and salsa, McLean said. But McLean said the club does not target events towards minorities per in particular, but rather towards its members.
"There are minorities who like '70s Night' and 'Guster.' There are plenty of white kids who like hip-hop," he said.
"Our events aren't geared towards minorities. They are geared towards our members, some of whom happen to be minorities," McLean said.
Minority membership at Quad, though high compared to most other clubs, is still a relatively small portion of the club's total membership. But McLean said he believes minority participation has gained momentum at his club, and said he hopes it "snowballs" in coming years.
Stevenson model
Stevenson Hall, a dining facility run by the University at 83 and 91 Prospect Ave., is often cited as a common alternative to the clubs for minorities. It has had success in attracting a large number of black and Hispanic members. However, because it is not a full-fledged club, many said it does not entirely fill the shoes of the club system.
Stevenson president Justin Buckner '98, said Stevenson suffers as a social alternative because, unlike the eating clubs, the University-sponsored hall cannot serve alcohol and lacks the funds to host big social events like live musical bands.
Stevenson vice president Brian Lewis '98 said he traces Steven-son's success in attracting minorities to the absence of a set identity of the group.
Without an entrenched identity, Stevenson can change with its members without the hindrance of traditions. "Clubs get stuck in tradition. They should not be constrained by identity," said Lewis. He said he applauds Quad for "becoming more flexible."
The absence of a rigid image that makes Stevenson appealing to minority groups could also make it a haven for other groups. Stevenson publicity chair Shalini Alisharan '98 said that five years from now Stevenson "may change" if a different group of members join and take charge.
Alisharan said she views the minority participation at Quad as a positive change. "An eating club has more resources (than Stevenson). It might give more options to students" to organize social events, she said.
Though the identity of an eating club is slow to change, a club that opened its atmosphere and traditions to minorities could offer a more permanent and comfortable home to those groups.
But even if one club became a center for blacks and Hispanics on the 'Street,' some said it would not have a great effect on the rest of the clubs.
"If a club became a place where minorities felt comfortable, it would be very good for the minority community," said Smith. "But it's not the best solution."
In the big picture of the 'Street,' some feel that one club's increased diversity would not change the overall situation.
"There is something very traditionally 'Princeton' about (the eating clubs)" that makes minorities wary, said Lewis. Until that aspect of the 'Street' changes, he said, many minorities will continue to opt for other alternatives.
Still, others said they felt that despite the clubs' best efforts, not much can be done directly to change the nature of the 'Street.'
"Even if the clubs started playing hip-hop music, (the racial composition of the 'Street') wouldn't change much because there are larger differences in question here," said Ivy Club member and vice president of Akwaaba, Atu Darko '99.
White said he believes the solution lies in the arena of race relations at the University as a whole. Problems at the 'Street,' he said, cannot be resolved without addressing the same issues campus-wide.
"Until campus changes as far as social interactions, I think the clubs are going to be hard-pressed in attracting enough minorities," White said.
"The problem is systemic," he added. "It is a societal problem and we are the microcosm."
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