The University’s own old boys’ club

Student Government Board meetings have been a haven for controversy and civil unrest lately…. Student Government Board meetings have been a haven for controversy and civil unrest lately. Earlier this month, SGB awarded a student organization, the University Society for the Finer Things, $600 toward transportation and lodging to attend a conference on cigars in Las Vegas.

Though allegations of discrimination and injustice quickly arose from other student organizations in attendance, I believe SGB is not to blame. They are just doing their job of accommodating feasible requests from the University’s approved student organizations.

My issue concerning this incident gets to the root of the problem: How was the organization allowed to be established in the first place?

The University Society for the Finer Things is a cigar club that teaches people how to carry themselves in business situations. The organization’s president, Chris Weber, stated that the organization teaches its membership necessities such as etiquette and instructions on tying a bow tie.

Even though I too, grow restless of playing the “angry minority female,” I can’t help getting this distinct feeling that this organization is trying to establish itself as Pitt’s own “old boy’s club” – a place where upper class, traditionally white males can network and support each other in retaining their status.

Maybe these institutions would not be so offensive if we didn’t live in a country with an imbalance of gender equality where women still earn, on average, 70 cents for every dollar earned by men. Women make even less comparatively if they’re not white.

As a minority who aspires to one day accomplish herself in the business world, I find it offensive that there is a student group, supported by the University, that promotes a culture where cigars, scotch and bow ties go hand in hand with success in business. And more importantly, I find it offensive that my activities fee dollars support them.

Why didn’t they just name themselves the University Society That Didn’t Make it into the Druids?

All student groups are registered through the Student Organization Resource Center. The process of registration consists of picking up a form, finding 10 members and an adviser. After that, SORC approves the organization after seeing if it follows certain University policies and requirements.

The University needs to set some better guidelines about the types of groups that should be allowed to register as official student organizations and take part in requesting SGB money. Especially when, as allocations committee member Hollie Freeman puts it, SGB is “short on money” and “there isn’t enough to go around.”

I suggest making it a requirement for groups to review the policies and requirements instated by the University, especially the requirement that groups must “conduct all activities in a manner that contributes to the intellectual, ethical, psychological, and personal growth of its members.” Then submit a brief addressing how they will be affecting their members and the University. After that, SORC should take the time to look at each request with some critical and ethical insight.

By the present SORC methods, the Ku Klux Klan could set up shop at Pitt under the title Society for White Advancement.

The University Society for the Finer Things claims to open their doors to the entire student body. Yet the group’s activities are undoubtedly directed to attract a certain part of the population. The release of the society’s fund-raising calendar featuring college girls in bikinis offended many female students and undoubtedly showed the organization’s lack of concern for attracting female membership.

There is also a certain income bracket associated with an interest in “the finer things” – the upper class. The president of the organization is found on their Web site wearing a suit and sunglasses and brandishing a freshly cut cigar, epitomizing the ideal of the corporate fat cat.

They make me very afraid for my generation if there are still people promoting the mistakes of our forefathers. There is nothing cool about elitism.

A University-funded rich kids club is not in good taste.

Natasha Khan is a columnist for the Pitt News. Feel free to contact her with your questions and comments at nkhan@pittnews.com.