Campus Club reopens doors

Campus Club, founded in 1900, was closed as an eating club in 2005, and its property was donated to the University the following year on the condition that it would remain a social venue for students. The club is now open to undergraduates and graduate students until 2 a.m. on Thursdays and Saturdays and until midnight every other day of the week.

President Tilghman said she views Campus Club as a welcoming alternative to the social venues at Frist Campus Center. “You know how popular the social spaces in Frist are,” she said in an interview at the club’s opening. “They’re really well used, but they’re not homey. Frist is not a homey place — a little bit Cafe Viv[ian], but Cafe Viv doesn’t feel like home. It certainly doesn’t feel like the home I grew up in.”

“Given that the majority of our student body are not members of eating clubs, [Campus Club is] a great place if you want to come and sit in a corner and read your book or play pool,” she added.

Tilghman explained that Campus Club, located at the corner of Washington Road and Prospect Avenue, is intended to complement the eating clubs rather than compete with them, noting, “There are things that the eating clubs are able to do, which include alcohol, that will not be able to happen in this spot unless there’s a way to ensure that everyone is 21.”

The new social space will be a positive addition to the Street, Campus Club Advisory Board member Cindy Kroll ’11 said.

“I think it’s going to be a great place for students to come and hang out whether they want to do homework or grab a bite to eat one day,” Kroll said. “It also gives them the opportunity to bring in speakers from other places or host events of their own. It’s a space for students, by students. It’s really in our hands, and it’s a great opportunity.”

Another member of the advisory board, Eric Plummer ’10, said he hopes that Campus Club will “fill the void” he sensed on campus as a sophomore.

“This year will be like none other at Princeton, with the social alternatives to other eating clubs that will not only be fun and enjoyable, but I believe comparable to the eating clubs,” Plummer said. “Between the multitude of different areas for student-initiated events, the taproom cafe, the TVs with HD, the study spaces, the pool room — even the catering kitchen and its key location here on the Street — I believe Campus Club is ready to serve all of our needs.”

At the club’s opening ceremony, Campus Club Graduate Board chair Anne Lester ’86 spoke about the club’s transformation from a floundering eating club into a University-run common space for the entire Princeton community.

“The decision to close the club was really heartwrenching for the grad board and for every Campus alum, because what we remember about the club is that it was such a wonderful, warm, welcoming place to spend time,” Lester said.

The club’s trustees decided to close Campus in 2005 because of declining membership. It had sustained annual financial losses for a decade, and membership dues failed to cover the club’s operating costs.

Several students at Campus Club’s opening said that they predicted the renovated club would attract students from all walks of campus life and would serve as a common ground for a socially diverse community of students.

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“I think that people who frequent the eating clubs will come here, and people who don’t frequent the eating clubs will come here as well,” Jonathan Gary ’11 said.

USG president Connor Diemand-Yauman ’10 also said he hopes the club will welcome many students. “I don’t think anyone knows the effect that Campus Club will have on the dynamic of the Street, but I know that the hope is that it will be a place where all students are welcome regardless of their club affiliations or their year.”

Ryan Huynh ’11 also said he sees Campus Club as a cornerstone for social unity. “I feel like the opening of Campus Club also opens up a lot of opportunities for many different kinds of students on campus. I hope that more students will be able to integrate and meet new people at this place,” he said. “It will only add to the campus.”

The club, open to both undergraduates and graduate students, could also connect University members at different stages of their education. Sam Polk, a graduate student in the Wilson School, said he views Campus Club as a potentially valuable resource.

“I really have no idea what goes on here,” he said, “but I’m very happy to be at the opening of it. It’s beautiful, and there’s a nice spread here, so I hope this continues.”