This spring, sophomore dues on Prospect Avenue ranged from just under $500 to almost $1,200. These dues tend to be poorly publicized during the bicker and sign-in process, leaving many students surprised to find that their acceptance into an eating club is accompanied by a hefty price tag. While subsidizing social dues at eating clubs is not an appropriate role for the University, clubs are wrong to allow their fees to remain a mystery until students have been accepted. With the present system, some students find that these social dues either unexpectedly decimate their personal budgets or force them to transfer the surprise expense onto their reluctant parents. Students involved in the bicker process may be particularly reluctant to approach club officers about the cost of sophomore dues for fear that such questions could hinder their chances of acceptance.
A simple and reasonable solution would be for the Interclub Council to post the total cost of sophomore membership, as well as the total estimated costs of junior and senior year membership, on the website through which the sign-in and bicker processes are conducted. Alternatively, at a minimum, clubs should prominently post membership cost information somewhere in the club prior to Bicker or sign-in. By choosing to bicker or sign in to a particular club, a student makes a significant social and financial commitment. In return, the club should make the monetary obligations that come with membership clear to students.
The cost of club membership, particularly during the sophomore year when the University does not provide additional aid, should not prohibit any student from joining a club. Several clubs assert that they are willing to reduce fees for students with financial need on a case-by-case basis. This policy is laudable and should be not only encouraged but also more widely publicized so that no students hesitate to seek membership in their clubs of choice. While at one time few Princeton students may have needed to know exactly how much an eating club would cost them, Princetonians today are far more economically diverse than their forebears, and some must be extremely prudent with their money. Clubs should recognize this and be sure to inform students of the total financial commitment they are making when they choose to join a club.
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