A pre-frosh taste of Prospect

The University's Princeton Preview program provides a unique opportunity for newly admitted students to gain a better understanding of all aspects of undergraduate life. It also provides an opportunity for the University to project a certain image of itself to prospective students. Both parties have an overriding, compelling interest in ensuring that this image matches the reality of the Princeton experience. An important part of this experience is the eating club system that has existed at the University since the late 19th century. If Princeton is to provide newly admitted students with a genuine and honest preview of undergraduate life, it must include the edifices that line Prospect Avenue.

The University rightly has made serious efforts to provide social alternatives to the Street, and including eating clubs in its Princeton Preview isn't inconsistent with those efforts. For several years, the clubs have sponsored a program called "A Taste of Prospect," in which underclassmen take a meal in one of the clubs. The program provides an opportunity for underclassmen to sample the daily routine of eating club life, as opposed to the weekend party scene. In allowing prospective students to take a meal in one of the clubs during Princeton Preview, the University could present an equally balanced and helpful view of eating club life to pre-frosh. While the Interclub Council already holds a panel in one of the clubs, a University-sponsored meal would provide a better view of the eating clubs to more people.

The Pre-Frosh Taste of Prospect should randomly assign interested students to eating clubs to better present the distinct characteristics of the various clubs. This pre-frosh meal should be integrated with the current practice of providing interested students with a tour of eating clubs as well as an explanation of financial aid policies and other relevant information. The program would also necessitate close coordination with club presidents to ensure that certain standards are observed. Students would take the remainder of their meals during Princeton Preview in the residential college dining halls or at catered events, as is the current practice.

A true Princeton Preview must include a taste of the eating clubs. As a distinctive and important feature of undergraduate life, they should be presented in an honest and balanced fashion to newly admitted students. Only then will they gain an accurate picture of the range of social options available to Princeton undergraduates and be able to choose to attend Princeton for the right reasons.