Get Herald RSSAside from fraternities, sororities and program houses, Brown offers very few opportunities for individuals looking to form official group bonds that will last a lifetime. A number of our peer schools have long-standing traditions of like-minded individuals coming together to form organizations dedicated to preserving the ideals of their universities while simultaneously serving networking functions. Harvard's final clubs, Princeton's eating clubs and Yale's and Dartmouth's secret societies all mark the existence of a long-term commitment to excellence and brotherhood beyond Greek life in the Ivy League.
Brown desperately needs a little splash of elitism. The other day, as I walked by the men's bathroom in the basement of the Rockefeller Library, I noticed a picture of the Brown Republican Club of 1916; there were so many members, the picture was about three feet wide. Fast-forward 93 years and the roll has declined to about ten dedicated members.
In a little under a century, Brown changed from a university resembling an old boy's club to a liberal, progressive mess. Changes in national laws regarding race, gender, and other matters have affected every university, but our aforementioned peers have more successfully preserved their aristocratic, elitist roots.
Brown would benefit from a having a culture of respect for natural aristocracies, elites and individuals dedicated to secretly preserving the University's age-old ideals. Clubs and societies provide networking opportunities for individuals looking to do more than just secure a job after graduation.
Yale's Skull and Bones secret society has an alumni network that rivals those of entire universities. Harvard finals clubs and Princeton's eating clubs also give students the chance to interact with some of the wealthiest, most elite individuals in the country. An important advantage of embracing this culture might be an increase in the University's long-term standing.
Brown might enhance its elitist culture by lowering the acceptance rate, and perhaps reducing the size of the undergraduate population. This would increase the value of every seat at Brown and would also enhance the University's international image.
Brown can still continue its program of academic enrichment with an open curriculum while simultaneously remaining selective. Individuals are naturally drawn to things they can't have, especially if those things are valued highly.
By fostering a culture of elitism on campus, Brown would undoubtedly attract more wealthy and powerful applicants. This might dramatically increase donations and the size of the endowment. As the endowment continues to shrink, being part of an exclusive society with access to its own financing is more important than ever.
While institutions of this nature already exist at Brown, they mostly go unnoticed by the greater campus community. Most Brown students are rather nonchalant about the existence of organized elites on campus, and many often rebuke them as "non-Brown." While this certainly rekindles the argument about what "being Brown" really means, completely ignoring Brown's historically elite nature is foolish and misguided. Secret societies, final clubs and other selective organizations may actually increase social mobility among students by allowing those who don't come from wealthy or powerful families to share an inextricable bond with students who do.
Elitism is a fundamental Ivy League value. No other collection of universities in the world boasts the same degree of exclusivity. Brown students who despise elitism had other options, of course. Most of the disciplines offered at Brown, with the exception of Egyptology and a few other particular specialties, can be found on campuses across the country. Students can even escape a core curriculum if they're willing to trade down a tier or two. Choosing Brown means choosing to be elite, in some way or another.
Embracing elite culture can also benefit Brown students who are not interested in joining Greek societies or University clubs constrained by UFB financing. Highly selective clubs give ambitious students, namely those involved in large organizations at Brown, an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who can help them throughout their lives.
Currently, such opportunities are scarce. While societies exist at Brown, they are written off by a large segment of the student population. Brown has strayed far from its elitist roots, into the dirty sea of "progressivism." Brunonians would be well-advised to reconsider their reactions. Before knocking elitism, look around: You're part of it.
Anish Mitra '10 is an economics concentrator from New York City. He can be contacted at anish_mitra[at]brown.edu.
