social space
an interesting article in the NYTs yesterday about sororities at Harvard. It doesn’t make any overwhelmingly original points, but its interesting to read what outsiders observe about your own community:
Whatever their differences, women’s clubs at Harvard have at least one thing in common: none have clubhouses. While the men’s clubs have their own lairs – many of them wood-paneled affairs adorned with moose heads and leather club chairs – the women’s clubs rent space for events at local hotels and restaurants, sometimes even from the men’s clubs. The Isis took an apartment off campus in 2003, but it proved a financial drain, so the club decided not to renew the lease. Not having space can put a damper on secret rituals; Emily High, the president of Kappa Kappa Gamma, said she has to keep her sorority’s secret gear in a trunk in her dorm room.
As for renting space from the men, she said, “It’s unfortunate to be so dependent on them.”
Members of male clubs tend to be quietly supportive of the women’s groups, if not always for altruistic reasons. “The general attitude towards them is positive, because the males know that if this issue is raised it could result in their being forced to accept women,” said one upperclassman, who asked not to be identified for fear of dragging his club into the debate.
It’s a tough question: are female clubs/sororities part of the long-term solution to the problem of gender-exclusivity on campus, or are they a part of the problem?
Comments
Speaking from the inside, I can say that my same-sex club has been one of the most meaningful things I’ve been a part of, and I don’t see anything inherently wrong in same-sex organizations.
Having a community of women supporting women in which every member feels a profound sense of identification has enabled so many of us to develop confidence and leadership skills that I don’t think would have been possible to the same extent in a mixed-gender club.
To me, the ideal campus has an array of options for all-male, all-female, AND mixed gender clubs, in which there is no vast disparity in resources or imbalance of power for groups which fall into any of the three categories.
As the president of Kappa, while I regret the fact that our group is dependent on the male clubs for space, we have determined that it’s preferable to dissolving as a group, and giving up on the amazing opportunities that all-female clubs DO bring to Harvard women across the board. So, not too many overwhelmingly original points here either, but just wanted to be the insider voice thinking about what I spend SO much of my time and energy on!
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