My confusion was only compounded when two women began questioning why the Trust wouldn't be granting money to groups which explicitly barred men from membership. When Dean Harry R. Lewis '68 reiterated the importance of the College's non-discrimination policy, one of the women explained, "It's very necessary that some groups be all women to not have the sexual tension." I wonder if RUS has decided to embrace the final clubs.

It may be time for the feminist activists on this campus to take a little time-out for a good old-fashioned reality check. Some committees, in order function effectively, have to limit their membership. The overwhelming majority of undergraduate women are not complaining of any rampant discrimination by Harvard. Sexual assault is a matter of public safety, not gender politics. The non-discrimination sword cuts both ways. We all need more meeting space and an occasional hug.

Dean Lewis described the Radcliffe merger as the culminating moment in the "normalization of women's status as undergraduates at Harvard." It's time for "women's issues" to undergo a similar process of normalization.

Noah D. Oppenheim '00 is a social studies concentrator in Adams House. His column will resume in January.