Bicker, sign-ins and initiations are only two months away. For freshmen and sophomore women, the process can bring up a plethora of questions. Even though four of the 11 current eating club presidents are women, many on campus still worry that females face unique challenges when it comes to the 'Street.'
Tonight at 7:30 p.m. in Betts Auditorium, a panel of undergraduate women will try to demystify the experience and answer questions about sign-in clubs, Bicker clubs and being independent.
The panel, titled "A Girlfriend's Guide to the Eating Clubs," is sponsored by the Organization of Women Leaders, the Center for Jewish Life, the Office of Religious Life and the Women's Center. It will be the first of a number of panels focusing on the relationship between women and the 'Street.'
The panel's goal is to "give underclass women a better sense of what the 'Street' is about," explained Josephine Decker '03, one of the panelists and OWL intra-organizational chair.
The panel will give women a forum where they can ask questions about the Bicker and sign-in processes involved in the search for an upperclass dining option that best suits their individual needs.
"This panel addresses the issue of how to choose a club, important guidelines for choosing a club," explained Maria Kessides, one of the main organizers of the panel and OWL treasurer.
The panel will be in question-and-answer format and will consist of two women in Bicker clubs, two women in a sign-in clubs and two women who are independent. The panelists are Lindsay Michelotti '02, president of Charter; Allison Smith '03 of Campus Club; Jaime Hennessey '02 of Cottage Club; Decker of Ivy Club and independent representatives Saloni Doshi '03 and Jessica Munitz '03.
"The idea is to talk in general about how girls join a club," Kessides said.
Panelists will explain why they chose their dining option and talk about the Bicker process. Sheets with a female contact at each eating club will be distributed at the panel.
"We hope to attract anyone who's unsure of what they want to do or are thinking of becoming independent, anyone who's concerned about the process of Bicker," Kessides explained.
Panelists will address the Bicker and sign-in process from the female perspective, sharing both their positive and negative experiences.
"Girls have traditionally been more concerned about Bicker itself than guys," Kessides said.
The panel is also an attempt to give women a chance to investigate numerous dining options at once.
"Instead of going to 2-D [2 Dickinson, the vegetarian co-op] by yourself, eating with a friend in Spelman, it's great to have all of the views presented in one room," Decker said.
InterClub Council president Cindy Drakeman '02 said the clubs support the forum.
"We think it's fantastic," she said. "If issues are brought up, it's essential that we address them. It is important that people come to the 'Street' and feel at ease and comfortable."
Upcoming panels will include discussions on race and the 'Street' and sexual harassment at the eating clubs.
Read More
S.C.R.A.P. Lab pausing some composting efforts in wake of scrapped U. funding
Luke Grippo and Raphaela GoldPrinceton’s (S.C.R.A.P.) Lab is pausing some composting operations for the 2025–26 academic year due to the recent hiring freeze.
Princeton’s (S.C.R.A.P.) Lab is pausing some composting operations for the 2025–26 academic year due to the recent hiring freeze.
Princeton police step up town Jewish Center patrols after repeated graffiti around town
Leela HenslerIn August, a series of antisemitic graffiti incidents in Princeton parks prompted police investigations and heightened patrols at the town’s Jewish center.
In August a series of antisemitic graffiti incidents in Princeton parks prompted police investigations and heightened patrols at the town's Jewish Center.
Transgender athlete Sadie Schreiner sues Princeton, alleging discrimination at track meet
Maya MukherjeeFormer Rochester Institute of Technology runner Sadie Schreiner has filed a lawsuit claiming Princeton officials removed her from a 2025 track meet for being transgender, while Princeton says it followed NCAA policy, though that policy states state law supersedes it.
Former Rochester Institute of Technology runner Sadie Schreiner has filed a lawsuit claiming Princeton officials removed her from a 2025 track meet for being transgender, while Princeton says it followed NCAA policy, though that policy states state law supersedes it.