In September 2015, Harvard released the results of a sexual conduct survey, and the findings were troubling, to say the least. Today, one of Harvard’s ‘final’ clubs – an exclusive undergraduate social organization at Harvard – feels they’re being used as a ‘scapegoat’ for the college’s growing problem.
For the first time in 225 years, a member of the all-male Porcellian Club is speaking out about the report which claimed the club should allow women to join or further risk “nonconsensual sexual contact” on campus. Basically, they’re linking sexual assault to final clubs.
Porcellian Club member Charles M. Storey, who graduated in 1982, wrote an email to The Harvard Crimson:
“To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time an officer of the PC has granted an on the record statement to a newspaper since our founding in 1791. This reflects both the PC’s abiding interest in privacy and the importance of the situation.”
He continued:
“Given our policies, we are mystified as to why the current administration feels that forcing our club to accept female members would reduce the incidence of sexual assault on campus. Forcing single gender organizations to accept members of the opposite sex could potentially increase, not decrease the potential for sexual misconduct.”
The club does not accept funding from Harvard and owns their own property, which is why Storey feels the rules and regulations of the club should be up to them alone.
Dean Rakesh Khurana is meeting with Porcellian’s graduate board today and said in a statement: “The College has for many months made it clear that the behaviors and attitudes espoused by unrecognized single gender social organizations at Harvard College remain at odds with the aspirations of the 21st century society to which the College hopes and expects our students will contribute.”
Via The Harvard Crimson