<p>Looks like the last thread Byerly started was deleted.</p>
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The reconfiguration of the undergrad housing into Harvard/Yale style houses/colleges will eventually squeeze the eating clubs out.
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<p>As it has been discussed in previous threads Tilghman and Dean Malkail seem to be heading in that direction but as Kerry put it "they went to war without a PLAN to win the war".</p>
<p>They may with the implementation of four year residential colleges seek to phase out the eating clubs some time in the future.</p>
<p>They may also face pressure from alumni who will try to hold on to tradition as long as possible. Good-bad....not sure.</p>
<p>Personally I believe some type of compromise in the end be best for the university and the students. Unfortunately I don't believe anyone knows what it is yet.</p>
<p>I have a feeling that the eating clubs will not leave, but there will definitely start to be some more options for upperclassmen that will increasingly be used. I see Tilghman's policy of starting the four-year residental colleges as a plan to diversity the options of the university, not necessarily to attack the eating clubs, which I think is a good thing. That way, the students can determine which way is better and if the eating clubs decline in attendance they can try to eliminate the sense of pretentiousness that surrounds them. I do see the danger of lost alumni support, but as Princeton has very high support I don't see it being an issue unless an overt action is taken directly against the eating clubs.</p>
<p>The university seems to be suggesting that some students, i.e., those in the four-year colleges, will join the eating clubs part time. But the eating clubs can't survive on part-time members. I suspect that people who want to join the eating clubs will go into the two-year colleges. </p>
<p>The pretentiousness of the eating clubs is greatly exaggerated.</p>
<p>On the fringes the shake out may continue (originally there were 17) but as long as some clubs draw more 'applicants' than they can accomodate (which already today is far from being a consequence of lacking alternatives) their complete disappearance doesn't look very likely.</p>
<p>In fact some of the more popular clubs have invested to enlarge their facilities. Not exactly proof of lack of demand.</p>
<p>Phasing the eating clubs out would be the worst idea for the campus community and social life. Sure there are problems that surround the eating clubs (drinking too much, not getting into the club you want), but there is yin and yang. The social life on campus would be deplorable without eating clubs. The four year colleges should have little or no effect on the eating clubs whatsoever. If the university wants upperclassmen to join 4 year colleges, then they will not force upperclassment dining hall options.</p>