Eating Clubs on Prospect AVenue

Task force issues report on relationship between University and eating clubs

By the Office of Communications on Nov. 12, 2018, 11:30 a.m.

Princeton's eating clubs are located along Prospect Avenue. 

Photo by
Denise Applewhite, Office of Communications

Princeton’s Task Force on the Relationship between the University and the Eating Clubs has published a final report Monday, Nov. 12, offering various recommendations related to diversity and inclusion, student health and well-being, eating club costs, and new eating club-University partnerships.

The task force was appointed last year to continue to strengthen the relationship between the independent eating clubs and the University. Vice President for Campus Life W. Rochelle Calhoun chaired the group of staff, students and alumni.

“The University and the eating clubs operate as separate and independent organizations, though it’s important that we continue to acknowledge our connection when it comes to enhancing the campus life experience for all undergraduates,” Calhoun said. “We hope the task force’s recommendations will bolster a sense of community and belonging for all students at Princeton.”

The task force report includes ideas such as:

  • Developing partnerships between the eating clubs and campus centers (such as the LGBT Center, Fields Center and Women*s Center) to help the clubs support a diverse student population.
  • Continuing to enhance and potentially expand training programs for eating club officers and members regarding health and safety.
  • Exploring more ways to reduce eating club charges; and finding possible programmatic partnerships between the eating clubs and the residential colleges.

Further development of these recommendations will be the responsibility of a new student-staff group that will include representatives from the University and the eating clubs. The new standing committee also will include a student representative from the Undergraduate Student Government. The group plans to meet monthly to review and help implement ideas. 

The latest recommendations build on a 2010 report that reviewed how the eating clubs and University could better work together. During the past eight years, the demographics of undergraduates have changed substantially (for example, 20 percent of the Class of 2022 is eligible for Pell grants for low-income students, compared with 7 percent in the Class of 2008), and the University adopted a strategic framework that includes priorities to expand the undergraduate student body and enhance residential life.

“With the University’s new strategic goals and the changing landscape of the student body, it was an opportune time to re-examine how the University and the eating clubs can continue to strengthen its relationship,” Calhoun said.

The Interclub Council issued a statement, saying it is “greatly encouraged to see that the task force report recommendations are aligned with the actions both in progress and already taken by the ICC over the past few years.”

The ICC statement also included reaction to the report from task force members Angelica Pedraza, a member of the Class of 2012 who is graduate president of Colonial Club, and Tom Fleming, a member of the Class of 1969 who chairs the Graduate Inter Club Council (GICC).

Related Stories

New task force to continue work on relationships between University and eating clubs .

A new task force has assembled to continue work on the relationships between the University and the 11 eating clubs, building on progress over the last seven years since a task force under the same name convened and made recommendations.

Task force issues report on University and the eating clubs .

In a report issued May 3, the University's Task Force on the Relationships between the University and the Eating Clubs reaffirms the important role the clubs play at Princeton and offers recommendations for enhancing the positive contributions the clubs can make to social life on campus for all undergraduate students. The task force also offers recommendations to address a number of concerns and challenges that are described in the report, and to strengthen relationships between the clubs and the University. 

Working group recommends changes to enhance social and residential life .

While Princeton University undergraduates express high levels of satisfaction with social and residential life, a working group of students, faculty and staff is recommending several changes to enhance this essential element of the campus experience.

Princeton trustees adopt strategic planning framework .

Princeton University's Board of Trustees has adopted a strategic planning framework that aims to enhance the University’s core commitments to excellence in teaching and research, and to such fundamental principles as affordability, diversity, inclusivity and service, while also strengthening its capacity to have "significant and lasting impact" at a time of transformative social and technological change.

Funding allocated to begin implementing diversity task force recommendations .

The executive committee of the Council of the Princeton University Community has endorsed recommendations made by a Special Task Force on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to improve University policies, practices and programming. The University will begin implementing some of the recommendations immediately.

Princeton enhances mental health resources, building on long-term commitment to student well-being .

The University’s goal is to support student well-being in a comprehensive, holistic and inclusive manner, says Vice President for Campus Life W. Rochelle Calhoun.

Health and well-being task force issues progress report
 .