As it is currently envisioned, the task force is likely to fail to capture the diversity of student experiences with the eating clubs. The 17-person committee will be composed of 10 faculty, administrators, alumni and outside experts and seven undergraduates, including Diemand-Yauman. But the variety of student perspectives on the eating clubs is beyond the scope of just seven students. Students chosen for the task force cannot be expected to speak as a “token” group members when those groups include five sign-in clubs and five bicker clubs, independent students, co-op members, residential college members, joint meal plan holders and freshman and sophomores in the process of deciding between these options. Since student life is the central focus, it remains unclear why this task force includes greater diversity of University staff opinion than of student opinion.
Given that the task force is likely to be under-representative of the undergraduate experience, the members must be prepared to engage in vigorous outreach toward the student body. Increasing the number of students on the task force is an unrealistic solution: It would create a committee too large to function. But adopting an outwardly oriented stance toward the student body could help the task force better understand the undergraduate social experience. Many students must be heard in order to generate the kind of input required to accomplish the task force’s goals.
Any conversation about the eating clubs also necessitates the participation of those who best understand the day-to-day operations of Prospect Avenue: eating club officers. Though Aran Clair ’10, president of the Interclub Council (ICC) and Cloister, will assist in selecting undergraduate members of the task force, no spots are reserved specifically for club officers. This is a major oversight given that these are the stakeholders who would implement the task force’s recommendations. The task force must create some kind of formalized process — whether by appointing a liaison, inviting officers to meetings or implementing some other method — to consult with club officers.
The task force represents a positive step to initiate dialogue on some of Princeton’s thorniest social issues. Though effort is needed to overcome the limitations of a committee structure of this kind, it will be well worth the benefits the task force could bring to the student body.
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