On eating clubs

Now I can explain to my friends that, even though I would be totally into a special club for people who like eating, the eating clubs are something else. Before applying to Princeton, though, the entire concept seemed pretty mysterious. And with the recent implementation of the multi-club Bicker system, I can imagine that the process will become even more complicated for a prefrosh to understand and navigate. When I was a prefrosh, my tour guide briefly mentioned the eating clubs and then quickly moved on. The admission officer at the information session tried to avoid the subject after fielding a few uncomfortable questions about exclusivity.

Any lack of information makes the college application process even more confusing for incoming freshmen, and mystery or misinformation about the eating clubs can even discourage people from applying to the University — I know that it did for at least one of my high school friends. Of course, the Office of Admission is not the authority on Princeton social life, but the University should try to give prospective students as clear of an introduction to the social scene as they do to academic and residential life.

Generally, there isn’t a detailed introduction to social life in college information sessions or tours. One of my friends, an Orange Key tour guide, says that she is only required to mention eating clubs when she talks about upperclassman eating options. She isn’t given specifics on what to say, only that she should not lie. She talks about the eating clubs as one center of social life on campus, but other than that, she doesn’t say much about them. This seems like surprisingly little information for a system that is such an integral part of campus life for many students. In some ways, that makes sense: Discussing social life at length can lead to difficult questions about underage drinking and take focus away from other equally important parts of campus life. But most other schools have social scenes that are generally well-known and understood — mainly the Greek system. Because the eating clubs are so different from the norm, they deserve their own introduction. Maybe a tour isn’t the right forum for a long orientation to the eating clubs. But what is?

There’s information available about the eating clubs if prospective students are willing to search — countless articles on the ‘Prince’ website, information on the eating clubs’ individual websites and even a lengthy Wikipedia article. The University website, on the other hand, offers only one short page on the eating clubs. While the information available from these outside sources is mostly accurate, it’s notable that the University doesn’t provide more information itself. Unless the University decides to openly condemn the clubs, it has a responsibility to do more than tolerate their existence. In order for the University and the clubs to coexist effectively, the University has an obligation to make sure students know about the system and understand how it could affect their college experience.

It’s true that eating clubs share some of the aspects of fraternities and sororities — parties and drinking — that worry parents and students who think a Greek life equivalent isn’t for them, and that would be hard for admission officers and school officials to address. But then there’s the flip side: Although I’m not in an eating club, the upperclassmen I know have told me that the clubs also have some unique benefits that shape the Princeton experience in a positive way. The University could consider advertising these positives, as well as acknowledging the negatives.

The University could encourage more open dialogue about the eating clubs with prefrosh — for example, students hosting prospective students for Princeton Preview could talk with their guests about their own experiences. Or the University could distribute a more concrete resource, like a guide written by the Interclub Council for prefrosh. Whether the solution is a general shift in dialogue about the clubs or a more formal introduction, the goal would be the same: to give prospective students as much clear and reliable information as possible. When the University can be more open and honest about the different options available to students, students will be better able to find their place on campus.

Sarah Schwartz is a sophomore from Silver Spring, Md. She can be reached at seschwar@princeton.edu.