"I didn't know anything about this club,"Jackson said. "I didn't even know the Porc was ano-go as far as renting."
Harvard severed ties to the final clubs in thespring of 1984 because they refused to admitwomen. One year later the seven-man Corporationadopted an anti-discrimination policy.
"The principle of not discriminating againstindividuals on the basis of race, color, sex,sexual orientation, religion, age, national orethnic origin, political beliefs, veteran status,or disability unrelated to job or course of studyrequirements is consistent with the purpose of auniversity and the law," the policy reads."Harvard expects that those with whom it dealswill comply with all applicableanti-discrimination laws."
Punching at the Pudding
The Delphic, A.D., Owl and Porcellian Clubshave all held parties or dinners this term at theHasty Pudding, said Angela L. Padilla '87,president of the Pudding. Harvard purchased theHasty Pudding this summer for $1 million, bailingthe theater out of debt, and the University nowleases the property to the Pudding.
Final clubs often hold functions at thePudding, Padilla said. "They're just like anyoneelse renting it out," she said. The Pudding hasalso rented to Wellesley sororities and the Gayand Lesbian Student Association, Padilla said.
"It's capitalism," she said. "It's a legaltransaction where they rent out the space likeanyone else."
Epps said he didn't know whether theHarvard-owned, Pudding-leased clubhouse isconstrained by University policy. "I'm muchclearer about our own facilities," he said.
The coed Hasty Pudding Club earlier this termrenewed an old policy of giving honorarymemberships to all final club presidents. It hasalso remained the site where prospective finalclub members accept membership into the clubs.
New members delivered letters of acceptance toclub presidents at the Pudding last Mondaymorning. "It's tradition," Padilla said. "It's acouple of hours one morning a year."