The ICC released results from the new eating club admissions process that was implemented to help students navigate the variety of options available to them through the Princeton Eating Clubs. The process centered around a new Eating Club Admissions Website that synchronizes the process of joining an eating club for all interested students and for the clubs as well.
The goals of the new process were to:
- Synchronize the process for all clubs through the development of a new website.
- Provide more information about the clubs to encourage more students to explore the clubs.
- Provide a multi-club option for selective clubs.
- Decrease the stress surrounding the process and provide a more positive experience for all students.
All eleven clubs participated in the new process including 7 selective clubs (Cannon Club, Cap and Gown Club, Charter Club, Cottage Club, Ivy Club, Tower Club, and Tiger Inn) and 4 open clubs (Terrace Club, Colonial Club, Quadrangle Club, and Cloister Inn).
The ICC looked at data for students joining clubs over the past 5 years. In previous years there were 5 selective and 5 open clubs. This year Cannon participated in the spring admissions process for the first time. Cannon held it’s initial bicker process in the fall of 2011. This year Charter Club redefined itself from an open to a selective club because it uses a point system that gives students credit for how frequently they attend Charter activities.
Here is a summary of the results:
- 1,058 or 81% of the entire sophomore class registered on the new ICC website and completed the admissions process, which is an increase over the 973 or 75% of sophomores who registered to join a club last spring.
- 25% of those who participated took advantage of the early admission option for open clubs, and 75% participated in the regular admission process which included all clubs except Terrace Club, which filled up in the early admission stage.
- 18% of students who opted to bicker at a selective club that offered the new multi-club option selected 2 clubs.
- 73% of sophomores who attempted to join a selective club were admitted, compared with 64% last year.
- By the end of the process, 947 sophomores were placed in a club vs. 894 last year – an increase of 53 students.
Tom Fleming ’69, the Chair of the GICC, commented, “The GICC commends the work of the ICC, who devised a process that met the broad objectives established by the Eating Club Steering Committee and the needs of all eleven clubs. The ICC worked closely with the GICC Advisor, the ICC Advisor, and Inforest Communications to create a website that worked nearly flawlessly the first time that it was used. We have not completely realized our long-term goals for improving the process for all students, but we have made a significant first step and are committed to seeking broad feedback in order to make further improvements for the benefit of the University and the Street.”
Alec Egan ’13, the outgoing President of the ICC, added,”The ICC is proud of the changes that were made to the admissions process this year, but this is by no means the end product. We will continue to make the eating clubs, and the greater Princeton community, a more open and accepting environment.”
Connor Cleg ’14, the newly elected President of the ICC will be taking over the leadership of the admissions reform effort for the ICC. He added, “The ICC is excited to continue the discussion on how best to improve the club admissions process. These initiatives will continue to be aimed at advancing the interests of both the clubs and students involved. We look forward to building on the changes that Alec and the past presidents set in motion.”
The ICC worked in cooperation with Princeton University and the GICC (Graduate Interclub Council) on these reform initiatives with the hope that sophomores will have more opportunity to learn about club options, expand the number of clubs they consider joining, and have a more positive eating club experience.