Final Club - Controversy

Controversy

Male final clubs have long been a point of controversy at Harvard because of their exclusionary nature. Such clubs do not allow women to become members, and some clubs have historical traditions that classify them as more of a reflection of Harvard's predominantly white, trust-fund wealthy, Protestant past than its more diverse present.

In recent years, many of the clubs have grown increasingly diverse to include men from different ethnic backgrounds. Nevertheless, controversy continues with protests, boycotts and perennial debate in the student newspaper, The Harvard Crimson, usually around punch season, similar in nature and tone to editorials in the Yale Daily News during mid-April tap season and in the Daily Princetonian during bicker.

Since they are private organizations, neither student opinion nor Harvard's anti-discrimination policies have material impact, and the promise of social rank and professional connections continue to lure prospective members.

The issue of sexual assault at final clubs has also been a source of concern on campus. The Harvard "Dis-orientation Guide", a non-administration publication from Harvard's chapter of Students for a Democratic Society, contends that male-only clubs inherently create a "hetero-normative and male-dominated" atmosphere that, in turn, may give rise to sexism and homophobia while increasing the likelihood of sexual assault. In 2002 Assistant Dean of the College Karen E. Avery '87 told female first-years to be aware of "potential dangers that have been reported in regard to final clubs." Two Harvard students started Students Against Super Sexist Institutions - We Oppose Oppressive Finals Clubs (SASSI-WOOFCLUBS) in September 2004, in opposition to the influence of final clubs on Harvard's campus. Following numerous campaigns for a student center or other social spaces, a renewed campaign was launched in 2010-2011 to challenge the final clubs and the college administration's ambiguous position on them. The campaign won the support of many students, including the college student government, the Undergraduate Council.

One result of the continuing controversy has been an increase in fraternity and sorority presence at Harvard. Five female final clubs (The Bee, The Isis, The Sablière Society, The Pleiades Society, and La Vie), three fraternities (Sigma Chi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Alpha Epsilon Pi), three sororities (Kappa Kappa Gamma, Delta Gamma, and Kappa Alpha Theta), and one additional all-female organization (The Seneca) have greatly expanded the presence of formal social organizations at the College. Harvard University has not yet officially recognized these organizations.