<p>Oh, it should be whatever one wants it to be! </p>
<p>The purists can cling to the strict notion of the original Ivy League. Some might even decide that the eight schools were originally different --Colgate football anyone? Others, including the Barnard families might continue to discuss all the benefits of the affiliation to Columbia University (the shared facilities, the almost similar diploma that does indeed have Columbia on it in addition to Barnard, the fact that Barnard graduates can apply for jobs by sending columbia.edu emails, and on and on.) Others from Columbia might object on the grounds of different selectivity, is not part of Columbia’s listed UG, and claim Barnard lowers the prestige of Columbia. </p>
<p>At the end, it makes little difference, and attempts to be “duplicitous” about the affiliations will be ignored or … condemned. A decision that the holder of the diploma will have to make many times. As far as parental bragging, I’d say let them have it. After all, the oohs and the aahs might mask the occasional smirk from the “establishment.” </p>
<p>Obviously, if one needs to add the qualifier “one of the Ivy League” to his or her own alma mater’s description, chances are that the audience does not really … care, or simply knows better.</p>