Harvard University's Banning Of Single-Gender Student Organizations Causes Outrage | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Harvard University's Banning Of Single-Gender Student Organizations Causes Outrage

Is it possible to have too much integration?

81
Harvard University's Banning Of Single-Gender Student Organizations Causes Outrage

Single-gender organizations have been a part of college life for decades. Fraternities, sororities and other gender-specific organizations present students with opportunities that would be difficult to come by if they were a part of just any student organization. These organizations require students to partake in community service, require students to assist with the operation of that organization and network with mentors in the community. The friendships that students form while participating in these organizations are lifelong, and a good reference from a sorority sister or fraternity brother could make it possible for a student to get the job he or she was hoping for after graduation.

Harvard University does not recognize gender-specific organizations as part of campus life. Recently, Harvard University adopted a policy that will bar students who participate in gender-specific organizations from assuming leadership roles in any on-campus organizations or athletic teams. In addition, these students would not be eligible for any fellowships or scholarships endorsed by the institution. This policy is set to take effect in 2017 with the arrival of the class of 2021. The Harvard University administration felt there was an unequal balance of power between the students who participate in gender-specific organizations and those who do not. Harvard also felt that gender-specific organizations, specifically the organizations that have a male-only membership, contribute to the number of sexual assaults on campus, something that the administration feels should be decreased.

Students are outraged by this newly adopted legislation. Some organizations feel that their right to freedom of assembly has been violated, while other organizations feel that the legislation is counterproductive — saying that integrating both genders in their organizations would cause an increase in the number of sexual assaults on campus. It is clear that the students who participate in single-gender organizations wish to uphold the values set forth by the organizations’ founders, and these values do include keeping the organizations open to the gender they were intended to serve.

Colleges and universities throughout the United States are becoming more inclusive. While it is important for colleges and universities to have a diverse population of students and faculty, it is equally important for students to learn that exploiting others because they are of a different gender is wrong. The institution should not teach students that sexual assault is wrong by taking away their freedom to join a single-gender organization. The university should understand that there will always be sexual misconduct on campus and the best practice to reduce sexual assaults is to educate its students and penalize those who exploit others.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
university
University of Nebraska at Omaha

Creating your schedule for the upcoming semester can be an exciting process. You have the control to decide if you want to have class two-days a week or five-days a week. You get to check things off of your requirement checklist. It's an opportunity for a fresh start with new classes (which you tell yourself you'll never skip.) This process, which always starts out so optimistic, can get frustrating really quickly. Here are 25 thoughts you have when registering for classes.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

10 Thoughts Of A 5th Year Senior

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

1029
college shirt
pointsincase.com

"College will be the best four years of your life" is a phrase that we have all heard growing up. College is painted as a magical place to us while we are in high school. A place you go to learn, meet your best friends and probably have the time of your life while all of this is going down. Four whirlwind years, where everything that you've known changes and you start to learn what it means to live on your own, have a job, etc. But what about those of us who don't do this all in four years? Major changes, hard courses, switching schools, career paths changing, these are just a handful of factors that could extend your four years to five, six or seven. There is nothing wrong with taking extra time to graduate, but returning as a fifth-year is a little different. Most of your best friends have most likely graduated and moved and while you may be one of the oldest undergraduates on campus, you might feel as awkward as a freshmen. A world that became home and comfortable to you is still there but it's slightly different than you've known it to be and you have to find a groove to fall into. These are thoughts you'll have as you look ahead to returning to your college campus, with a victory lap planned.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

17 Times "Friends" Accurately Described Life

You can't say that no one told you life was gonna be this way.

224
friends

In the 12 years since it went off the air, "Friends" continues to be adored by millions. The show that gave generations unrealistic expectations about love (or should I say lobsters?) and New York City apartments had a charming cast of characters that everyone could relate to at some point or another. Here are 17 times Ross, Monica, Joey, Chandler, Phoebe and Rachel accurately described life.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Times Aubrey Plaza Described Sophomore Year

"I don't want to do things. I want to do not things."

577
Aubrey Plaza
Flickr Creative Commons

Aubrey Plaza is one of my favorite humans in Hollywood. She's honest, blunt, unapologetic, and hilarious. I just started my sophomore year of college, and found that some of her best moments can accurately describe the start of the school year.

1. When your advisor tells you that you should declare a major soon.

2. Seeing the lost and confused freshmen and remembering that was you a short year ago, and now being grateful you know the ins and outs of the campus.

3. Going to the involvement fair to sign up for more clubs knowing that you are already too involved.

4. When you actually do the reading required for the first class.

5. Seeing your friends for the first time since last semester.

6. When you're already drowning in homework during syllabus week.

7. Realizing you don't have the same excitement for classes as you did as a freshman.

8. Going home and seeing people from high school gets weirder the older you get.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

College vs. High School

Freedom vs. Curfew

284
graduation

Things you may not realize are different between high school and college:

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments