Princeton ban on frosh pledges is for sake of social focus

Princeton University is going to ban freshmen from pledging to fraternities and sororities. The Ivy League institution does not officially recognize fraternities and sororities but estimates about 15 percent of its undergraduates participate in them.A student and faculty group is recommending the ban on freshmen participation that will take effect next year.Princeton spokesperson Cass Cliatt says joining fraternities and sororities makes new students narrow their social focus. “We fell that it takes the focus away from the commitment to the ideal of learning and growth outside as well as inside the classroom,” she said. “We really want students to engage in their residential college experience. We want to avoid segmenting our student body with fraternities and sororities sometimes do along socio-economic grounds.”The president of the North American Interfraternity Conference says Princeton is going too far, and the ban raises concerns about students’ freedom of association.