Colonial optimistic despite first-round numbers

Colonial graduate board chair Joseph Studholme ’84 declined to comment on the financial implications of the smaller first-round sign-in class, but noted that “Colonial has always been among the financially strongest of the clubs, and our long-term financial planning takes into account the unpredictable behavior of Princeton sophomores.”

In January, the ‘Prince’ reported that Colonial was the only sign-in club to have its net assets increase between June 2004 and June 2008.

Interclub Council advisor Tim Prugar ’06 also said in an e-mail that the low number of the first-round sign-ins was “not indicative of any trouble the club is having.”

“All the sign-in clubs have historically gone in cycles,” he explained.

In 1999, Colonial had a sign-in class of 24. The next year, Colonial had the highest sign-in class on the Street with 98 new members, over half of whom signed in during the second round.

From 2002 to 2007, Colonial filled to capacity during the first round. In 2008, the club filled to capacity during the second round following a first-round class of 103. Last year, Colonial also reached its cap after both rounds.

Students said that peer attitudes and stereotypes may have contributed to the steep drop in sign-ins this year.

“I think that a possible reason for the low numbers of first-round sign-ins this year was due to the propagating [of] misperceptions and false stereotypes of Colonial,” Sarah Sims ’11, a Colonial member, said in an e-mail. “These are stereotypes ... that I, personally, and many of my friends in Colonial do not fit into.”

“As an involved RCA, I maintain that comparing being a member of Colonial to being a member of a four-year residential college is ridiculous,” Sims added.

Leana Hirschfeld-Kroen ’13 noted that negative opinions of Colonial may have been propagated by posts on princetonfml.com. “When you hear things and see posts on Princeton FML bashing certain clubs, you might get discouraged from signing-in there,” she said. “Even though they’re pretty trivial and on this ridiculous website, they could push you one way or the other if you’re on the fence.”

Negative posts about Colonial on PrincetonFML include “I’m in Colonial. They’ve already got my money. I’m stuck here ’til the end of the year. FML” and “I’m a Colonial alum. I can never show my face in Princeton society again. FML.”

Those interviewed said that they expect a greater number of sign-ins during the second round and remain optimistic about the club’s outlook.

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“The number of second-round sign-ins will be higher,” Prugar said, citing the club’s engaged officer corps and its plans to step up recruitment for the next round.

Colonial member Jonathan Atkins ’11 echoed Prugar’s sentiment. “I’m sure there will be more people in the second round,” he said. “I don’t see it as a big problem. I guess it means that there will be more facilities to go around if there are fewer people in the club.”

Looking ahead, Studholme described the club’s and graduate board’s plans for development. “As always, we’ll be looking into expanding and improving our social events over the next year for members and non-members alike,” he said.

He added that “Colonial has great food, a great house and a great group of undergraduate officers and managers who all live at, and for, the club.”

Sims is one such member.

“I have gotten involved with many activities on campus, but I maintain that my best decision in college was to sign-in Colonial first-round last spring,” Sims said. “In Colonial, I have found a retreat in the middle of the day from the stress and pettiness of Princeton.”