Senior Seeks Lawyer for Final Club Suit

law firms have refused to case of a Harvard senior who complaint with the Committee Against (MCAD) in December one of the nine all-male final clubs of sex student said yesterday.

Schkolnick '88, who brought the Fly Club, said that "enthusiastic" lawyers whom approached said they supported but turned it down because costs involved.

said that she is seeking in part because she thinks MCAD is not effectively her case. Although she met with the MCAD charge of her case, Schkolnick the agency has neglected to her with any personal legal . Schkolnick added she has told by lawyers that the MCAD not have a good reputation."

spokesman for MCAD declined yesterday, except to say the is still "under investigation," and agency has not yet decided if it jurisdiction. If MCAD decides it jurisdiction and finds "probable cause" that the Fly Club is violating state law, then the agency will provide the plaintiff with legal counsel and can require a public hearing, award damages and seek an injunction.

However, if MCAD rules that it does not have jurisdiction or finds lack of probable cause, Schkolnick said she will need a lawyer because she plans to file a civil suit against the club. In addition, Schkolnick said she has been repeatedly advised to find a personal lawyer to help investigate her case, regardless of the MCAD decision.

Although she has just begun her search for free legal assistance, Schkolnick said thus far she has had trouble finding a lawyer. "In order to have a viable case a lot of research has to be done, and research is expensive," Schkolnick said. "It's a catch-22. The rich lawyers all belong to firms with final club alumni in them, and the poor lawyers would love to help but can't afford to."

The Fly Club, represented by the Boston law firm Palmer and Dodge, has already filed evidence with MCAD in response to investigative questions, Schkolnick said, adding that she had obtained copies of the club's offical responses to her complaint. According to Schkolnick, the defense affadavits assert that the Fly, which is open only to Harvard undergraduates, is a purely private, social club which has no formal or informal ties with Harvard University, and thus violates no state sex-discrimination laws.

The University formally severed its ties to the nine final clubs in 1984 after the clubs refused to admit women. Approximately 10 percent of male undergraduates belong to the clubs.

Fly Club president Ian M. Huschle '88 said yesterday. "Any group should be able to gather on a social basis as long as there is no monopoly of opportunities. I do not believe that such a monopoly exists at the Fly Club." He declined specific comment on the case, and said the club had turned it over to their lawyers. Lawyers at Palmer and Dodge yesterday refused to comment on the case.

Schkolnick, who said she selected the Fly Club randomly as the subject of her complaint, disputes the club's claim. She charges that the club is part of the University and therefore should be subject to anti-discrimination laws for places of "public accommodation."

Schkolnick said she hopes to prove that the all-male clubs are an integral part of student life, encourage a sexist attitude on campus and exclude women from non-social services such as private libraries, lunches with faculty, and business networking between undergraduate club members and alumni.

New Charge

Schkolnick also said yesterday that she amended her original complaint on January 11 to add an "allegation of unlawful discrimination in services on the basis of sex." Her amendment charges that the club violates a second Massachusetts statute which prohibits organizations that provide credit and services from discriminating on the basis of gender. In the past, the law has been applied primarily to banks and insurance agencies, said Leslie B. Grier, a staff attorney for MCAD.

The amendment adds a new twist to sex-discrimination suits of this type. Grier said. The allegation of discrimination in services "has never been used against a club before, to my knowledge," she said.

Schkolnick said she made the amendment on the advice of the Boston branch of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The ACLU is waiting of further action by MCAD before deciding whether or not to take on Schkolnick's case, ACLU representatives said.

But Schkolnick has received backing from Harvard Professor of Law Alan M. Dershowitz, who has given her advice and agreed to appear as a witness against the clubs, and Sally Frank, who won a similar suit against two all-male eating clubs at Princeton University.

Frank, who currently teaches at the District of Columbia Law School in Washington, has sent Schkolnick relevant documents and briefs from the Princeton case and given her "legal and moral" support, Schkolnick said.

"I'm certainly encouraging her," Frank said yesterday. "What it takes to win is a serious examination of records. The issue is going to come down to whether she can get in and whether she can get a lawyer."

The two eating clubs have appealed the decision in Frank's case, and the case is still pending in the New Jersey appellate courts. Frank said she thinks the case may reach the Supreme Court of the United States.

Several Harvard students have also offered their support to Schkolnick. Brian Margolis, a first-year Harvard Law student has offered to do legal research on Schkolinick's case, and several undergraduates have said they want to help Schkolnick start a petition of students' opinions on final clubs.

Electa Sevier '87-'88, who said she has many friends in the clubs and has spent time at club functions, said yesterday that she has offered to provide personal written testimony against the clubs for Schkolnick. Sevier said she thinks the all-male clubs effectively limit the services available to women at Harvard.

In addition to attracting national media attention, Schkolnick said she has received letters from around the country--some praising and some condemning her action. Schkolnick said she has also received several harassing or threatening phone calls in the past month.

Huschle said he thinks such harassment is "horrible" and has given Schkolnick his guarantee that the calls are not coming from any Fly Club members

Schkolnick '88, who brought the Fly Club, said that "enthusiastic" lawyers whom approached said they supported but turned it down because costs involved.

said that she is seeking in part because she thinks MCAD is not effectively her case. Although she met with the MCAD charge of her case, Schkolnick the agency has neglected to her with any personal legal . Schkolnick added she has told by lawyers that the MCAD not have a good reputation."

spokesman for MCAD declined yesterday, except to say the is still "under investigation," and agency has not yet decided if it jurisdiction. If MCAD decides it jurisdiction and finds "probable cause" that the Fly Club is violating state law, then the agency will provide the plaintiff with legal counsel and can require a public hearing, award damages and seek an injunction.

However, if MCAD rules that it does not have jurisdiction or finds lack of probable cause, Schkolnick said she will need a lawyer because she plans to file a civil suit against the club. In addition, Schkolnick said she has been repeatedly advised to find a personal lawyer to help investigate her case, regardless of the MCAD decision.

Although she has just begun her search for free legal assistance, Schkolnick said thus far she has had trouble finding a lawyer. "In order to have a viable case a lot of research has to be done, and research is expensive," Schkolnick said. "It's a catch-22. The rich lawyers all belong to firms with final club alumni in them, and the poor lawyers would love to help but can't afford to."

The Fly Club, represented by the Boston law firm Palmer and Dodge, has already filed evidence with MCAD in response to investigative questions, Schkolnick said, adding that she had obtained copies of the club's offical responses to her complaint. According to Schkolnick, the defense affadavits assert that the Fly, which is open only to Harvard undergraduates, is a purely private, social club which has no formal or informal ties with Harvard University, and thus violates no state sex-discrimination laws.

The University formally severed its ties to the nine final clubs in 1984 after the clubs refused to admit women. Approximately 10 percent of male undergraduates belong to the clubs.

Fly Club president Ian M. Huschle '88 said yesterday. "Any group should be able to gather on a social basis as long as there is no monopoly of opportunities. I do not believe that such a monopoly exists at the Fly Club." He declined specific comment on the case, and said the club had turned it over to their lawyers. Lawyers at Palmer and Dodge yesterday refused to comment on the case.

Schkolnick, who said she selected the Fly Club randomly as the subject of her complaint, disputes the club's claim. She charges that the club is part of the University and therefore should be subject to anti-discrimination laws for places of "public accommodation."

Schkolnick said she hopes to prove that the all-male clubs are an integral part of student life, encourage a sexist attitude on campus and exclude women from non-social services such as private libraries, lunches with faculty, and business networking between undergraduate club members and alumni.

New Charge

Schkolnick also said yesterday that she amended her original complaint on January 11 to add an "allegation of unlawful discrimination in services on the basis of sex." Her amendment charges that the club violates a second Massachusetts statute which prohibits organizations that provide credit and services from discriminating on the basis of gender. In the past, the law has been applied primarily to banks and insurance agencies, said Leslie B. Grier, a staff attorney for MCAD.

The amendment adds a new twist to sex-discrimination suits of this type. Grier said. The allegation of discrimination in services "has never been used against a club before, to my knowledge," she said.

Schkolnick said she made the amendment on the advice of the Boston branch of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The ACLU is waiting of further action by MCAD before deciding whether or not to take on Schkolnick's case, ACLU representatives said.

But Schkolnick has received backing from Harvard Professor of Law Alan M. Dershowitz, who has given her advice and agreed to appear as a witness against the clubs, and Sally Frank, who won a similar suit against two all-male eating clubs at Princeton University.

Frank, who currently teaches at the District of Columbia Law School in Washington, has sent Schkolnick relevant documents and briefs from the Princeton case and given her "legal and moral" support, Schkolnick said.

"I'm certainly encouraging her," Frank said yesterday. "What it takes to win is a serious examination of records. The issue is going to come down to whether she can get in and whether she can get a lawyer."

The two eating clubs have appealed the decision in Frank's case, and the case is still pending in the New Jersey appellate courts. Frank said she thinks the case may reach the Supreme Court of the United States.

Several Harvard students have also offered their support to Schkolnick. Brian Margolis, a first-year Harvard Law student has offered to do legal research on Schkolinick's case, and several undergraduates have said they want to help Schkolnick start a petition of students' opinions on final clubs.

Electa Sevier '87-'88, who said she has many friends in the clubs and has spent time at club functions, said yesterday that she has offered to provide personal written testimony against the clubs for Schkolnick. Sevier said she thinks the all-male clubs effectively limit the services available to women at Harvard.

In addition to attracting national media attention, Schkolnick said she has received letters from around the country--some praising and some condemning her action. Schkolnick said she has also received several harassing or threatening phone calls in the past month.

Huschle said he thinks such harassment is "horrible" and has given Schkolnick his guarantee that the calls are not coming from any Fly Club members

said that she is seeking in part because she thinks MCAD is not effectively her case. Although she met with the MCAD charge of her case, Schkolnick the agency has neglected to her with any personal legal . Schkolnick added she has told by lawyers that the MCAD not have a good reputation."

spokesman for MCAD declined yesterday, except to say the is still "under investigation," and agency has not yet decided if it jurisdiction. If MCAD decides it jurisdiction and finds "probable cause" that the Fly Club is violating state law, then the agency will provide the plaintiff with legal counsel and can require a public hearing, award damages and seek an injunction.

However, if MCAD rules that it does not have jurisdiction or finds lack of probable cause, Schkolnick said she will need a lawyer because she plans to file a civil suit against the club. In addition, Schkolnick said she has been repeatedly advised to find a personal lawyer to help investigate her case, regardless of the MCAD decision.

Although she has just begun her search for free legal assistance, Schkolnick said thus far she has had trouble finding a lawyer. "In order to have a viable case a lot of research has to be done, and research is expensive," Schkolnick said. "It's a catch-22. The rich lawyers all belong to firms with final club alumni in them, and the poor lawyers would love to help but can't afford to."

The Fly Club, represented by the Boston law firm Palmer and Dodge, has already filed evidence with MCAD in response to investigative questions, Schkolnick said, adding that she had obtained copies of the club's offical responses to her complaint. According to Schkolnick, the defense affadavits assert that the Fly, which is open only to Harvard undergraduates, is a purely private, social club which has no formal or informal ties with Harvard University, and thus violates no state sex-discrimination laws.

The University formally severed its ties to the nine final clubs in 1984 after the clubs refused to admit women. Approximately 10 percent of male undergraduates belong to the clubs.

Fly Club president Ian M. Huschle '88 said yesterday. "Any group should be able to gather on a social basis as long as there is no monopoly of opportunities. I do not believe that such a monopoly exists at the Fly Club." He declined specific comment on the case, and said the club had turned it over to their lawyers. Lawyers at Palmer and Dodge yesterday refused to comment on the case.

Schkolnick, who said she selected the Fly Club randomly as the subject of her complaint, disputes the club's claim. She charges that the club is part of the University and therefore should be subject to anti-discrimination laws for places of "public accommodation."

Schkolnick said she hopes to prove that the all-male clubs are an integral part of student life, encourage a sexist attitude on campus and exclude women from non-social services such as private libraries, lunches with faculty, and business networking between undergraduate club members and alumni.

New Charge

Schkolnick also said yesterday that she amended her original complaint on January 11 to add an "allegation of unlawful discrimination in services on the basis of sex." Her amendment charges that the club violates a second Massachusetts statute which prohibits organizations that provide credit and services from discriminating on the basis of gender. In the past, the law has been applied primarily to banks and insurance agencies, said Leslie B. Grier, a staff attorney for MCAD.

The amendment adds a new twist to sex-discrimination suits of this type. Grier said. The allegation of discrimination in services "has never been used against a club before, to my knowledge," she said.

Schkolnick said she made the amendment on the advice of the Boston branch of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The ACLU is waiting of further action by MCAD before deciding whether or not to take on Schkolnick's case, ACLU representatives said.

But Schkolnick has received backing from Harvard Professor of Law Alan M. Dershowitz, who has given her advice and agreed to appear as a witness against the clubs, and Sally Frank, who won a similar suit against two all-male eating clubs at Princeton University.

Frank, who currently teaches at the District of Columbia Law School in Washington, has sent Schkolnick relevant documents and briefs from the Princeton case and given her "legal and moral" support, Schkolnick said.

"I'm certainly encouraging her," Frank said yesterday. "What it takes to win is a serious examination of records. The issue is going to come down to whether she can get in and whether she can get a lawyer."

The two eating clubs have appealed the decision in Frank's case, and the case is still pending in the New Jersey appellate courts. Frank said she thinks the case may reach the Supreme Court of the United States.

Several Harvard students have also offered their support to Schkolnick. Brian Margolis, a first-year Harvard Law student has offered to do legal research on Schkolinick's case, and several undergraduates have said they want to help Schkolnick start a petition of students' opinions on final clubs.

Electa Sevier '87-'88, who said she has many friends in the clubs and has spent time at club functions, said yesterday that she has offered to provide personal written testimony against the clubs for Schkolnick. Sevier said she thinks the all-male clubs effectively limit the services available to women at Harvard.

In addition to attracting national media attention, Schkolnick said she has received letters from around the country--some praising and some condemning her action. Schkolnick said she has also received several harassing or threatening phone calls in the past month.

Huschle said he thinks such harassment is "horrible" and has given Schkolnick his guarantee that the calls are not coming from any Fly Club members

spokesman for MCAD declined yesterday, except to say the is still "under investigation," and agency has not yet decided if it jurisdiction. If MCAD decides it jurisdiction and finds "probable cause" that the Fly Club is violating state law, then the agency will provide the plaintiff with legal counsel and can require a public hearing, award damages and seek an injunction.

However, if MCAD rules that it does not have jurisdiction or finds lack of probable cause, Schkolnick said she will need a lawyer because she plans to file a civil suit against the club. In addition, Schkolnick said she has been repeatedly advised to find a personal lawyer to help investigate her case, regardless of the MCAD decision.

Although she has just begun her search for free legal assistance, Schkolnick said thus far she has had trouble finding a lawyer. "In order to have a viable case a lot of research has to be done, and research is expensive," Schkolnick said. "It's a catch-22. The rich lawyers all belong to firms with final club alumni in them, and the poor lawyers would love to help but can't afford to."

The Fly Club, represented by the Boston law firm Palmer and Dodge, has already filed evidence with MCAD in response to investigative questions, Schkolnick said, adding that she had obtained copies of the club's offical responses to her complaint. According to Schkolnick, the defense affadavits assert that the Fly, which is open only to Harvard undergraduates, is a purely private, social club which has no formal or informal ties with Harvard University, and thus violates no state sex-discrimination laws.

The University formally severed its ties to the nine final clubs in 1984 after the clubs refused to admit women. Approximately 10 percent of male undergraduates belong to the clubs.

Fly Club president Ian M. Huschle '88 said yesterday. "Any group should be able to gather on a social basis as long as there is no monopoly of opportunities. I do not believe that such a monopoly exists at the Fly Club." He declined specific comment on the case, and said the club had turned it over to their lawyers. Lawyers at Palmer and Dodge yesterday refused to comment on the case.

Schkolnick, who said she selected the Fly Club randomly as the subject of her complaint, disputes the club's claim. She charges that the club is part of the University and therefore should be subject to anti-discrimination laws for places of "public accommodation."

Schkolnick said she hopes to prove that the all-male clubs are an integral part of student life, encourage a sexist attitude on campus and exclude women from non-social services such as private libraries, lunches with faculty, and business networking between undergraduate club members and alumni.

New Charge

Schkolnick also said yesterday that she amended her original complaint on January 11 to add an "allegation of unlawful discrimination in services on the basis of sex." Her amendment charges that the club violates a second Massachusetts statute which prohibits organizations that provide credit and services from discriminating on the basis of gender. In the past, the law has been applied primarily to banks and insurance agencies, said Leslie B. Grier, a staff attorney for MCAD.

The amendment adds a new twist to sex-discrimination suits of this type. Grier said. The allegation of discrimination in services "has never been used against a club before, to my knowledge," she said.

Schkolnick said she made the amendment on the advice of the Boston branch of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The ACLU is waiting of further action by MCAD before deciding whether or not to take on Schkolnick's case, ACLU representatives said.

But Schkolnick has received backing from Harvard Professor of Law Alan M. Dershowitz, who has given her advice and agreed to appear as a witness against the clubs, and Sally Frank, who won a similar suit against two all-male eating clubs at Princeton University.

Frank, who currently teaches at the District of Columbia Law School in Washington, has sent Schkolnick relevant documents and briefs from the Princeton case and given her "legal and moral" support, Schkolnick said.

"I'm certainly encouraging her," Frank said yesterday. "What it takes to win is a serious examination of records. The issue is going to come down to whether she can get in and whether she can get a lawyer."

The two eating clubs have appealed the decision in Frank's case, and the case is still pending in the New Jersey appellate courts. Frank said she thinks the case may reach the Supreme Court of the United States.

Several Harvard students have also offered their support to Schkolnick. Brian Margolis, a first-year Harvard Law student has offered to do legal research on Schkolinick's case, and several undergraduates have said they want to help Schkolnick start a petition of students' opinions on final clubs.

Electa Sevier '87-'88, who said she has many friends in the clubs and has spent time at club functions, said yesterday that she has offered to provide personal written testimony against the clubs for Schkolnick. Sevier said she thinks the all-male clubs effectively limit the services available to women at Harvard.

In addition to attracting national media attention, Schkolnick said she has received letters from around the country--some praising and some condemning her action. Schkolnick said she has also received several harassing or threatening phone calls in the past month.

Huschle said he thinks such harassment is "horrible" and has given Schkolnick his guarantee that the calls are not coming from any Fly Club members

However, if MCAD rules that it does not have jurisdiction or finds lack of probable cause, Schkolnick said she will need a lawyer because she plans to file a civil suit against the club. In addition, Schkolnick said she has been repeatedly advised to find a personal lawyer to help investigate her case, regardless of the MCAD decision.

Although she has just begun her search for free legal assistance, Schkolnick said thus far she has had trouble finding a lawyer. "In order to have a viable case a lot of research has to be done, and research is expensive," Schkolnick said. "It's a catch-22. The rich lawyers all belong to firms with final club alumni in them, and the poor lawyers would love to help but can't afford to."

The Fly Club, represented by the Boston law firm Palmer and Dodge, has already filed evidence with MCAD in response to investigative questions, Schkolnick said, adding that she had obtained copies of the club's offical responses to her complaint. According to Schkolnick, the defense affadavits assert that the Fly, which is open only to Harvard undergraduates, is a purely private, social club which has no formal or informal ties with Harvard University, and thus violates no state sex-discrimination laws.

The University formally severed its ties to the nine final clubs in 1984 after the clubs refused to admit women. Approximately 10 percent of male undergraduates belong to the clubs.

Fly Club president Ian M. Huschle '88 said yesterday. "Any group should be able to gather on a social basis as long as there is no monopoly of opportunities. I do not believe that such a monopoly exists at the Fly Club." He declined specific comment on the case, and said the club had turned it over to their lawyers. Lawyers at Palmer and Dodge yesterday refused to comment on the case.

Schkolnick, who said she selected the Fly Club randomly as the subject of her complaint, disputes the club's claim. She charges that the club is part of the University and therefore should be subject to anti-discrimination laws for places of "public accommodation."

Schkolnick said she hopes to prove that the all-male clubs are an integral part of student life, encourage a sexist attitude on campus and exclude women from non-social services such as private libraries, lunches with faculty, and business networking between undergraduate club members and alumni.

New Charge

Schkolnick also said yesterday that she amended her original complaint on January 11 to add an "allegation of unlawful discrimination in services on the basis of sex." Her amendment charges that the club violates a second Massachusetts statute which prohibits organizations that provide credit and services from discriminating on the basis of gender. In the past, the law has been applied primarily to banks and insurance agencies, said Leslie B. Grier, a staff attorney for MCAD.

The amendment adds a new twist to sex-discrimination suits of this type. Grier said. The allegation of discrimination in services "has never been used against a club before, to my knowledge," she said.

Schkolnick said she made the amendment on the advice of the Boston branch of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The ACLU is waiting of further action by MCAD before deciding whether or not to take on Schkolnick's case, ACLU representatives said.

But Schkolnick has received backing from Harvard Professor of Law Alan M. Dershowitz, who has given her advice and agreed to appear as a witness against the clubs, and Sally Frank, who won a similar suit against two all-male eating clubs at Princeton University.

Frank, who currently teaches at the District of Columbia Law School in Washington, has sent Schkolnick relevant documents and briefs from the Princeton case and given her "legal and moral" support, Schkolnick said.

"I'm certainly encouraging her," Frank said yesterday. "What it takes to win is a serious examination of records. The issue is going to come down to whether she can get in and whether she can get a lawyer."

The two eating clubs have appealed the decision in Frank's case, and the case is still pending in the New Jersey appellate courts. Frank said she thinks the case may reach the Supreme Court of the United States.

Several Harvard students have also offered their support to Schkolnick. Brian Margolis, a first-year Harvard Law student has offered to do legal research on Schkolinick's case, and several undergraduates have said they want to help Schkolnick start a petition of students' opinions on final clubs.

Electa Sevier '87-'88, who said she has many friends in the clubs and has spent time at club functions, said yesterday that she has offered to provide personal written testimony against the clubs for Schkolnick. Sevier said she thinks the all-male clubs effectively limit the services available to women at Harvard.

In addition to attracting national media attention, Schkolnick said she has received letters from around the country--some praising and some condemning her action. Schkolnick said she has also received several harassing or threatening phone calls in the past month.

Huschle said he thinks such harassment is "horrible" and has given Schkolnick his guarantee that the calls are not coming from any Fly Club members