Ivy Club hosts forum on race

Nearly 50 students gathered last night in the library of Ivy Club to discuss their concerns and to suggest ways in which the interplay between race relations and social life on campus can be improved.

The goal of the discussion, sponsored by the Terrace Race Relations Action Committee and Ivy Club, was "to get people talking" about race and the social scene at Princeton, said Laura Kaplan '02, the Terrace committee's community service chair. During the session, students brought up a variety of personal concerns and viewpoints on the topic.

A prominent concern voiced by many students at the event was the dominance of the 'Street' in students' social lives and the lack of alternatives.

Elisa Minoff '04 described a "vivid feeling" of encountering this problem as soon as she arrived on campus. "Even from my first days on campus, it was pretty clearly a one-dimensional social life," she said.

Minoff added that her small, all-girls high school seemed to have a more diverse social scene than that of Princeton — something that surprised her — given the University's significantly larger size.

The question of how stereotypes about the 'Street' are first established was another concern. Many students voiced their sentiment that the reputation of the various clubs and the 'Street' in general is often established as early as Freshman Week. These perceptions begin to form even before students arrive, by University administrators' attitude toward the clubs.

One student said, "The University does a lot to perpetuate [the feeling of exclusion of minority students]. It feeds into the idea that, as a minority, 'You are not welcome here and we have to help you overcome that.' "

USG president Joe Kochan '02, who was present at the meeting, asked students to look for ways to improve Freshman Week and said he was committed to working on improving it in accordance with the evening's discussion.

Others said the problems that arise in mixing racial diversity and the 'Street' are a product of the school's history and its reputation as a haven for America's privileged youth.

Scott Levy '02 suggested that racial concerns related to the school's social scene are largely brought on by the school's past. "I think it is the 'Street' and the University in general," he said. "All these things are symbols of white privilege, and many of these symbols are inherent in this university and our history."

Another concern voiced by many students present was the role of Minority Affairs Advisors in campus life. Some students, viewing the program as counter-productive, even suggested dissolving it.

Kochan said he supports changes in the system, but not a complete end to it. "I don't necessarily think the answer is to abolish the MAA program. To alter or tweak it may be better," he said.

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Organizers of the discussion session said they thought it was a success.

"I think the most concrete action that came out of tonight's talk was our working with Joe Kochan to create a more inclusive atmosphere during Freshman Week," Kaplan said.

The next session will be held at Charter Club. Future topics for discussion will include the residential college program and the academic curriculum.