City Votes To Investigate Sexism in Harvard Clubs
The Cambridge City Council unanimously voted to investigate the all-male Harvard final clubs for sex discrimination, aiming to find ways to pressure them to admit women. Councilor Alfred E. Vellucci, who proposed the motion, suggested revoking liquor licenses and tax-exempt status as potential measures. City Manager Robert W. Healy committed to starting the investigation immediately, though city officials withheld comments on specific actions until the investigation concludes. Despite this, University affiliates expressed skepticism about the city’s ability to exert pressure, citing the clubs’ compliance with regulations and significant tax payments. The student-faculty Committee on College Life, which had already asked the clubs to admit women, acknowledged the clubs' private status allows them to discriminate legally. Committee members however, believed the College could still influence the clubs through consistent applied pressure rather than legal measures. The College currently provides some support to the clubs, including access to phone services, heating, alumni lists, and partial ownership of the Fly Club garden. Club members doubted the city's influence, suggesting the clubs and the University would prefer to resolve the matter internally. Dean of the College John B. Fox Jr. questioned the city’s goals and whether they would target other single-sex clubs in Cambridge. Some club members indicated openness to admitting women, but believed such a decision must come from within the clubs.Files
| Creator |
Schmidt, Catherine
|
|---|---|
| Source |
The Harvard Crimson
|
| Publisher |
Radcliffe College Archives
|
| Date |
1984-05-16
|
| Tags | Final Clubs, Legal, Student Publications |
|---|---|
| Date Added | July 9, 2024 |
| Date Modifed | January 7, 2025 |
| Collection | Harvard and Gender Discrimination |