To anyone observing the ordeal of Bicker and pickups, eating clubs would seem essential to every sophomore's spring semester. Yet about a quarter of upperclassmen choose not to join an eating club.
James Williams '06 is one of many sophomores who decided to go independent. "Eating clubs work for some people and they don't for others," he said. "I didn't personally feel like I could really have a home [in an eating club]."
Though Williams said he certainly sees advantages to eating on Prospect Avenue, such as the social atmosphere and sense of community, he is confident he will be able to compensate while living as an independent. "All socializing doesn't happen on the Street," he said.
Williams, who is active on the Student Volunteers Council executive board, Religious Life Council and U-Council, said his activities give him a much more fulfilling way to interact with fellow students than he could find at the Street.
"There's a misperception that independents don't want to engage with the student body," said Williams. "That's not the case."
Anthony Endresen '06, who is also remaining independent, agreed that activities can offset the social losses of not joining an eating club. "In terms of social connections I'm not worried," he said. "I'm on the rugby team and I meet a lot of people through [that]."
Endresen was drawn to independent life by the flexibility it affords him. He can create his own dining schedule while still taking advantage of the clubs' nightlife.
"I will not be eating in an eating club, but that doesn't mean I won't go there in the evenings," he said.
Brian Skerratt '04, outgoing president of the Brown Coop, said that remaining independent actually opened social possibilities that cannot be found on the Street.
"The Coop became more of a family than a social group," he said. "Between cooking and shopping together, you become closer to people than you would in an eating club."
One of the downsides of staying independent is the time and effort devoted to cooking, Skerratt said. However, he said he found that the coop reduced his time commitment to something he "was willing to put in" — even to the point that he enjoyed the cooking.
Skerratt also pointed out that the coop's low cost — often less than a quarter of an eating club's — attracts many students.
Though Skerratt views his decision to remain independent as "undoubtedly the best" he could have made, he said the University could do more to improve the independent experience.
He said the Brown Coop has had several problems, including insufficient kitchen space.
Despite these problems, Skerratt said, "I've been a lot happier since I joined the coop."
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