Elizabeth L. Sarles '01, who went to the Owlparty Saturday night, says since the policychange, she has not been able to spend as muchtime at the Owl as she could before.

"I like the Owl. I like hanging out there. AndI don't like that I can only do it a few times ayear," she says. "I'll take what opportunities Ican get."

Back to Basics

According to many A.D. and Owl members, thepolicy changes, although disappointing to some,were inevitable and much needed.

In recent years, they say, the clubs hadincreasingly become places for late nightsocializing on campus, and some members say, hadeven grown to resemble fraternities at otherschools.

"I think the transition has been pretty smooth.It's a little calmer now, not that they wereAnimal House before that," says A.D. member KeithL. Cynar '00. "There were random people showing upon certain nights. There had been lines outsideand unwanted visitors."

The liabilities involved in such openparties-which could affect both the clubs andtheir undergraduate and graduate membersfinancially and criminally should something gowrong--were a large factor in the three clubs'decisions to close.

Inter-Club Council President Rev. Douglas W.Sears '69 characterizes the policy changes barringvisitors as a recovery of the founding ideals offinal clubs.

"It's a return to the original purpose. Theyexist for friendships," he says. "A club is aplace for friends to gather more quietly."

But this return to a more traditional role forthe clubs has been met with some opposition fromcurrent undergraduates. When the A.D. led the waywith its decision to close doors to non-membersJan. 20, the initial reaction was negative, Cynarsaid.

"There was anger and discontentment the nightof and a few days after [Jan. 20]," he says. "Butpeople stepped back and realized it's not that biga deal."

Still, Cynar admits, "I don't know if they'rehappy. It's a change of pace."

Owl members say they have dealt with similarproblems since the club first adopted the changeon a temporary basis in late January. Members hadhoped they would be able to reach a compromisewith the graduate board, but were unable todevelop anything feasible, Powers says.

"I would like to see it back to having someform of guests, be it on a limited basis," saysOwl member Ryan G. Schaffer '00. "It changes whatthe club is for people and its role in [campus]social life."

Powers says some members may dislike thecurrent policies, but the Owl's change hasrefocused energy into friendships among clubmembers and may result in closer ties between thegraduates and undergraduates.