The top executive representing national fraternity organizations is accusing Harvard University of overt sexism against its male student body. North-American Interfraternity Conference President Judson Horras responded to Harvard’s decision to allow all-female groups on campus to continue without penalties – while excluding male groups.
“Harvard’s original policy trampled students’ association rights, and it now also serves as a blatant form of gender discrimination, which must be vigorously challenged,” writes Horras.
The issue with the school’s single-gender social organizations began in mid-2016.
Following a report by Harvard’s Task Force for the Prevention of Sexual Assault, administrators of the Ivy League University came to the conclusion that the existence of single-gender organizations, such as sororities and fraternities, increased the risk of sexual assault on campus. University President Drew Faust then announced there would be penalties to any student who decides to join a single-gender exclusive organization, beginning with the Class of 2021. Punishments would include a ban on leadership positions and ineligibility for college endorsements to top fellowships such as the Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships.
Hundreds of women immediately took to campus to protest the decision and adopted the “Hear Her Harvard” chant. During the protest rally, female leaders spoke on the contributions of women-only clubs and the importance these groups have for women.
Following mounting pressure, Harvard somewhat reversed its decision. Associate Dean of Student Life David R. Friedrich announced in March that female clubs and sororities will be allowed to retain their “gender-focus” for the next several years (with a new assessment to be made at a later time). However, no such exemption was given to male-only organizations.
To sum up the updated rules: Any students in the Class of 2021 and beyond who join a male-only organization will be slapped with severe sanctions, including banishment from campus leadership positions and ineligibility for endorsements to prestigious scholarships.
In defense of this blatant form of gender discrimination, Friedrich said all female groups need to be distinguished from their male-only counterparts due to historic inequalities of females at Harvard. Apparently, he believes discriminating against men today will bring justice to women who faced transgressions in the past.
Male organizations on campus are having none of it.
“Harvard’s decision to allow only women’s groups to continue operating as single-gender organizations affirms why we must…. aggressively defend students’ rights,” said Horras. Horras’ statement also included an education amendment within Title IX that clearly states no person, on the basis of sex, can be subjected to discrimination.
Students in the Class of 2021 will begin attendance at Harvard in the Fall Semester of this year. It is uncertain if campus leaders will be able to reverse this policy that unabashedly discriminates against its male student body.
