Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilTau
Harvard's real target here are the exclusive final clubs. From Harvard's perspective, the fraternities and sororities are (fairly or unfairly) included in this group. From my experience, Harvard's administration can be both stubborn and arrogant. Everybody whose done business with them knows this. I also suspect that every fraternity and sorority involved with Harvard knew this going in. For example, in its magazine, my wife's fraternity cannot even mention its chapter's Harvard association. There's just a blank. Harvard's rule.
So could being swept up in something like this really be a surprise to its national office? I'm not defending Harvard, but I cannot really disagree with Harvard's president:
“Although the fraternities, sororities, and final clubs are not formally recognized by the College, they play an unmistakable and growing role in student life, in many cases enacting forms of privilege and exclusion at odds with our deepest values,” ***** wrote. “The College cannot ignore these organizations if it is to advance our shared commitment to broadening opportunity and making Harvard a campus for all of its students.”
"Privilege and exclusion" is what Harvard is trying to tramp down here. And don't expect Harvard to back off either. They didn't with gays in the military and other issues they think are important.
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The only way they will change their culture is to completely change their student body to one who has no interest in final clubs or similar societies. I don't think that will happen. Plus, national groups gladly put up with the crap to have a chapter at an Ivy.