A sexual-assault-prevention task force at Harvard University this week presented a damning portrayal of the institution’s prestigious "final clubs," saying the mostly male-only social organizations foster "a strong sense of sexual entitlement" and "deeply misogynistic attitudes." The task force’s report has stirred debate about the role of the clubs — which are akin to similarly exclusive groups at other elite colleges — in a university community that strives to be welcoming to all. Harvard’s final clubs play a role similar to that of fraternities elsewhere; they are private groups that host many of the parties that students attend even if they are not of legal drinking age. The clubs have also faced similar criticism. But the Harvard groups carry an even more controversial reputation as bastions of white, male, wealthy privilege. Students have to be invited to participate in new-member recruitment, and the clubs aren’t recognized by Harvard or national affiliates, so they operate with even less institutional oversight than most Greek groups.

March 10, 2016 ・ From Chronicle of Higher Education