Last week, Princeton’s eating clubs rallied in support of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (HHAW), offering students free grub in exchange for a $2 donation to the Crisis Ministry and Homefront.

However, not all of Princeton’s exclusive clubs participated in the Thanksgiving fundraiser.

No, three of them—Ivy Club, Cottage Club and Tiger Inn—decided that philanthropy was overrated and refused to honor the wristbands that were handed out to students who donated to the cause.

Why? They aren’t saying exactly, but it is Princeton. So, do you really need a reason and/or an explanation?

The Daily Princetonian reports from atop their equally smug high horse:

Past editorials have advocated for more events during which all the clubs are open to all undergraduate students to demonstrate that the eating club system is truly inclusive of the entire student body. The board's support for eating clubs has been based on the belief that the eating clubs serve not only the interests of their memberships but also the wider student body. But when eating clubs become merely exclusive gated communities in which a few hundred members can isolate themselves from the rest of the University, the clubs no longer add to campus life but detract from it.

[…] Instead of lending more credibility to negative stereotypes, eating clubs should take advantage of similar positive opportunities in the future. An eating club is meant to be a comfortable home away from home for its members; that shouldn't stop clubs from helping the homeless on a Saturday night.

I hereby dub this entire affair “Eating Club-Gate,” a scandal that will undoubtedly live in infamy for many years to come.

Time to hit the picket lines, everyone...