Harvard to punish students who join single-gender social clubs on campus

Being in a fraternity or a sorority in college can be a lot of fun – just make sure you don’t join one if you want a leadership position at Harvard University.

In the latest installment of the political left’s ongoing obsession with everything relating to gender and diversity, Harvard University officially announced earlier this week that students who choose to participate in an unorganized single-gender social organization (USGSO), such as a fraternity or a sorority, are forbidden from serving in leadership roles on campus.

Outgoing President Drew Faust and Harvard Corporation fellow William F. Lee made the announcement in an email that was sent out to the entire student body on Tuesday. “Under the policy, students may decide to join a USGSO and remain in good standing,” reads a statement that was attached to the email. The note goes on to warn students that “decisions often have consequences, as they do here in terms of the students’ eligibility for decanal endorsements and leadership positions supported by institutional resources.”

Although the statement claimed that “the policy does not discipline or punish the students,” the Corporation argued that “students who serve as leaders of our community should exemplify the characteristics of non-discrimination and inclusivity that are so important to our campus.” The attached statement also noted that students who belong to USGSOs have a pernicious influence on campus, and that “the university must act” to limit the size and influence of such clubs. (Related: A university administrator has slammed the LGBTQ center for being “too white.”)

For one of the most prestigious schools in the entire country, Harvard University sure does put out some stupid rules and guidelines. The fact that students who join single-gender clubs like fraternities or sororities are somehow not being inclusive or are practicing discrimination is absolutely ridiculous, and frankly, every student at the university, regardless of political ideology or party affiliation, should be outraged.

One student who was not afraid to speak out on the matter was Kiera O’Brien, a sophomore who is the current president of the Harvard Republican Club. Of the university’s announcement, O’Brien said, “It’s unfortunate that the Harvard administration has framed the sanctions issue as a referendum on the moral character of the students who choose to join single gender social groups.” She added that the creation of single gender social groups at Harvard is largely due to the school’s lack of satisfactory spaces for students, and that students who choose to join USGSOs “should not be punished for their affiliation.”

It really is quite strange how obsessed with diversity the progressives have become, particularly on high school and college campuses. It’s as if they see the entire world through a racial lens, and are therefore tasked with making sure every level of American society is one hundred percent equal with a balanced ratio of minorities to non-minorities. But as bizarre as this obsession is, it’s unfortunately only getting worse. (Related: If the liberals really do stand for inclusiveness and diversity, then why do they want to dismantle the Electoral College?)

At Iowa State University, for example, those seeking employment on campus must pledge on their job application that they will “demonstrate their contribution to diversity and inclusion” once they officially get the position. Presumably, if an applicant chooses instead to reject the left-wing language and requirements being forced upon them, he or she will not get the job. Is that not a form of discrimination?

The problem with the left’s repeated calls for diversity lies not in the idea of diversity itself, but rather in the fact that it’s simply not necessary. We know how to be diverse. We know how to communicate with people who are different than us. We don’t need millions of left-wing students and school administrators spread out across the country reminding us day in and day out of how important diversity is. We can be an inclusive, compassionate and tolerant people on our own.

Discover more news on gender issues at Gender.news.

Sources include:

CampusReform.org

TheCollegeFix.com