Last week the University announced that it will increase the board portion of its financial aid package for all upperclassmen next year. On any campus, this news would be welcomed. At Princeton, where the University has long relied on independent eating clubs to feed most of its upperclassmen, it merits particular acclaim. I commend President Tilghman and Executive Vice President Mark Burstein for their tremendous efforts on this issue.
Over the years, the gap between the cost of joining an eating club and the financial aid available to do so has widened dramatically, inadvertently decreasing the economic diversity on the street. We at Charter are optimistic that the new policy will remove cost as a barrier to club membership. Since, as the University states, the change is about giving students more options, higher financial aid will help level the playing field, as will the new shared memberships. Housing preferences and financial considerations should not deter a student from joining a club. We will be happy to work with the University to develop measurements to determine how the new policies are working. We hope that they will provide more undergraduates the chance to enjoy what many alums look back on as their most significant experience at Princeton, the place where they formed their most lasting friendships. We are happy that that opportunity is now open to all.
At Charter, we have long felt that eating club membership, at our club or elsewhere, is more than just another dining option. It's about community and camaraderie. It's about students getting the chance to help run a nonprofit and learn from the experience. It's about broadening your Princeton experience by developing strong friendships while hanging out on the stairs or sitting by the fire. As an alum, I regard Charter as my Princeton home, the place I return to year after year to catch up with old friends and meet new ones across the generations of classes. I hope that Princeton's new policies will encourage every Tiger to find such a welcoming place.
Carol C. Cronheim '86 is the graduate board chair of Charter Club.
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