Cap & Gown Club Undergraduate Report
Isabella Briones ‘26
Executive Summary
Fall Bicker:
This past Fall Bicker cycle was greatly successful! Membership Chair Kamden Hill ‘26 made
massive strides to coordinate and recruit new members to our lovely club. This year, we had 56
undergraduate upperclassmen students participate in Fall Bicker. This was consistent with previous
Fall Bicker classes prior to last fall, and we admitted 11 new members to join our community. Of
those 11 new members, 6 are members of the Class of 2027 and 5 are members of the Class of 2026.
Cap & Gown was one of three bicker clubs who participated in Fall Street Week this year, alongside
Tower Club and Ivy Club.
Our updated membership breakdown is as follows:
Total Number of Members: 195 members
Class of 2026: 95 members
Class of 2027: 100 members
Technology, Athletics, and Gear Chair (TAG) Simar Parmar ‘26 has taken the lead in expanding Cap’s presence across athletics, design, and club spirit. She has continued to encourage member participation in intramural sports while also developing a new line of Cap merchandise, including both items for purchase and complimentary Cap stickers distributed to all members. a. Simar has also been hard at work designing creative visuals and team gear for the upcoming Post-Club Night staple: AB vs. BSE, where members divide into teams based on their academic tracks, Bachelor of Arts versus Bachelor of Science in Engineering, for an evening of spirited competition and camaraderie.
In addition, Simar has been collaborating closely with Graduate Board member Nikhil to finalize plans for reopening the Cap Store, with hopes to launch it soon and make new club apparel and merchandise accessible to all members.
Eating and Daily Life:
Our junior class, Class of 2027, has officially begun
eating at the clubhouse as full members. Cap’s beloved
seating policy has allowed for new friendships and
connections to be made. We remain committed to our
seating policy, which invites members to join the next
available seat at the next open table, helping spark new
friendships and conversations at every meal. Outside
the dining hall, the clubhouse continues to thrive as a
social hub, with members often studying in the Cox
Wing, hosting NFL watch parties in the Movie Room,
enjoying casual games in the Pool Room, and gathering
for poker nights in the Sun Room. We are sincerely
thankful to Kitchen Steward Greg Bonagura, Chef
Nick, and his kitchen staff for their incredible meals, to
the cleaning crew for keeping our space welcoming, to
our ever-dependable House Manager Oscar Campos
for tending to daily maintenance needs, and to Business
Manager Toni Carver and Dennis for their steady
leadership and care for all things Cap.
Eating at the Club
Dining at Cap remains central to daily life and community. Cap continues to serve a wide
range of delicious meals throughout the week, thanks to the dedication of Chef Nick, Kitchen
Steward Greg Bonagura, and the entire kitchen team. Vice President Aunyae Romeo ‘26 has worked
closely with them to ensure member feedback is heard through expanding more visibility for allergens,
vegetarian offerings, accommodating dietary needs, and introducing creative menu items for special events.
a. This fall marked a meaningful transition as the Class of 2027 began dining at the club
full-time, moving up from the two-meal schedule they enjoyed as sophomores last year.
b. Responding to member suggestions, the kitchen has broadened its weekday lunch rotation.
Burger Mondays and Tendie Tuesdays, once weekly fixtures, now alternate every other week
to make room for a greater variety of meals and cuisines. Membership has responded quite
positively to the changes in the dining menu!
c. Meal Exchange kicked off earlier than usual on September 22nd, made possible by Aunyae’s
coordination in hiring and scheduling meal checkers ahead of time. The program continues to foster
interclub connections by inviting non-members to experience Cap’s welcoming atmosphere and cuisine
firsthand.
d. The seating policy in the Class of 1973 Dining Room remains an integral part of the Cap experience,
encouraging members to take the next open seat and engage with peers beyond their immediate circles,
helping strengthen community bonds with every meal.
e. Our Thursday Club Night dinners remain a beloved tradition, with each week highlighting a different
affinity group within the club. Chef Nick and his team thoughtfully design menus that celebrate the
cultural heritage represented each week, guided by input from Aunyae Romeo ‘26,
Membership Chair Kamden Hill ‘26, and Social Chair Jack Ganley ‘26.
Social Events
Under Social Chair Jack Ganley ‘26, with support from Toni, Greg, Dennis, Oscar, and the Officer corps, Cap continues to host a vibrant mix of events from signature gatherings like Parent’s Weekend and the upcoming Fall Semi-Formal to weekly favorites such as Cap Mondays, Post-Club Nights, and a rotation of imaginative Saturday night themes that keep the social calendar fresh and engaging! Some highlights include:
a. Cap Mondays & Post Club Nights: Cap Mondays have evolved into member-focused, low-key study breaks designed to kick off the week with relaxation and community. i. Recent themes have included Boxer Decorating, Members pose with Coach Pastry Tasting, Coach the Therapy Dog, and more,
with each offering members fun ways to recharge together.
b. Lawnparties: Membership enjoyed a delicious lively brunch assisted by Greg and Chef Nick, with music provided by Jack thanks to the wonderful sound equipment in the 1973 Dining Room.
c. Parents’ Weekend: Cap hosted Parents’ Weekend from October 3rd-5th! Members and their families enjoyed complimentary football tickets, shared three delicious meals together, and capped off the weekend with a lively Saturday Cocktail Reception, Station Dinner, and student band performance. Though the festivities took place indoors, the Cox Wing dance floor was full of energy as Cap families celebrated together and enjoyed reconnecting with one another.
Members and parents alike enjoy music in cox wing!
d. Fall Semi Formals: We’re thrilled for our upcoming Fall Semi-Formals, themed Through the Looking Glass, an Alice in Wonderland-inspired evening that promises to transform the clubhouse into a whimsical, immersive experience. Social Chair Jack Ganley ’26 has taken the lead in coordinating this event, moving away from external decorators and instead drawing on the creativity of the Officer corps and Cap’s Administrative team. Jack and Kamden are collaborating closely with Business Manager Toni Carver, Kitchen Steward Greg Bonagura, and Chef Nick to craft themed food, drinks, and décor that
will bring Wonderland to life.
e. Culturally Cap: Our Culturally Cap Chairs, Rowan King ‘26 and Ava Krocheski-Meyer ‘26, keep the community spirit
high with their weekly newsletter: spotlighting member birthdays, giving well-deserved staff shoutouts, and hosting
engaging activities like this semester’s Musical Chairs night. Their creativity and enthusiasm continue to strengthen the
bonds that make Cap such a welcoming place!
f. Homecoming Weekend: We’re looking forward to
celebrating Homecoming Weekend with an exciting matchup against Harvard and a full day of festivities. The Taproom will be open all afternoon on Saturday (3 pm to 6 pm) as we welcome alumni and friends back to Cap for another spirited weekend on the Street.
The Clubhouse
Thanks to the dedicated work of House Manager Amy Tao ’26, whose consistent communication with Oscar ensures everything runs smoothly, the clubhouse continues to be a welcoming, well-maintained, and functional space for all members.
a. House Manager Amy Tao ’26 has done an excellent job maintaining the many improvements made last year, including the projector in the Library, functioning outlets in the Cox Wing, firepit, Tap Room lighting, and first aid supplies in the gun cabinet.
b. This semester, Amy and Oscar have introduced a new addition to the clubhouse, rolling desks in the Computer Room, providing members with flexible workspace options for impromptu Zoom meetings, study sessions, and quick periods of work.
c. Amy continues to oversee House Duty, an alternative to Safety Duty, ensuring that spaces are prepared for special events and that furniture is arranged efficiently throughout the clubhouse.
d. Facility-wise, the back exterior of the clubhouse has been freshly repainted, thanks to the combined efforts of House Manager Oscar Campos and Business Manager Toni Carver, preserving Cap’s historic charm while maintaining its vibrant and welcoming appearance.
Budget
Treasurer Rutva Shah ‘26 has been diligently overseeing the club’s budget, ensuring that funds are responsibly allocated to support a broad range of priorities—including social events, clubhouse maintenance, gear expenses, security costs, and other essential operations.
We’re pleased to report that 100% of members have successfully paid their dues or coordinated with the University’s financial aid office to cover club-related costs. A more detailed update on membership changes, operating expenses, and budgeting will be presented soon by the Finance Committee.
Community Outreach & Service
Community Outreach Chairs Valentina Moreno ’26 and Catherine Ruiz ’26 have continued to lead creative and engaging initiatives that strengthen Cap’s commitment to service and philanthropy.
This semester, the club has been participating in the annual Assassins Game, where members contribute a minimum $5
donation to play, with opportunities to give more, and the winning member selects the charity that will receive the collected funds.
Member Brian Hegarty ‘27 was declared the winner just before fall recess. To date, the game has raised over $1,000 for the
soon-to-be-chosen organization!
In addition, last semester Sustainability Chair Victoria Caballero-Quinn ’26 organized a Cap & Thrift event in which
members exchanged, sold, or donated gently used items. All remaining pieces were donated at the end of the event, promoting
sustainability and community sharing. Looking ahead, Victoria is planning to host another Cap & Thrift event next month, building
on the success of the thrift-style fundraiser she ran last fall and spring, to further encourage sustainable fashion and charitable
giving within the club.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accesibility
We deeply appreciate the thoughtfulness and dedication that DEI Chairs Christofer Robles ’26 and Brian Mhando ’26 bring to their roles. They continue to serve as key advocates for inclusion and safety during Street Week and Bicker, while remaining a trusted resource for members throughout the semester.
For Fall Bicker, Membership Chair Kamden Hill ’26 led a comprehensive pre-bicker training session, with segments organized by DEI Chairs Christofer Robles ’26 and Brian Mhando ’26, along with SHARE Peers Avery Fuller ’26, Annie Townsend ’26, and Sam Ruona ’26.
We also continue to value our partnership with the Graduate DEI Committee, whose advisory role has been instrumental in helping us thoughtfully address DEI matters within the club.
On the civic and community front, DEI Chairs are actively collaborating with Princeton Students for Immigrant Empowerment (PSIE) to host a Know Your Rights workshop open to both membership and staff.
ICC Updates
President Isabella Briones ’26 has been an active participant in weekly Interclub Council (ICC) meetings alongside the other club presidents. She serves as one of the two SHARE & Safety pillar heads, working in partnership with Ivy Club President Stefan Gjaja ’26, to address and coordinate responses to any Street-wide safety concerns as they arise.
The ICC is also preparing to host a Town Hall with the Class of 2027 on November 14th, offering sophomores an opportunity to learn more about the different eating clubs and what each has to offer. Next month, the ICC will dine in Vice President Calhoun’s home, where Isabella and the other presidents will advocate for the many positive benefits that club membership, and Cap specifically, bring to undergraduate life at Princeton.
In addition, Isabella, together with the rest of the ICC leadership, is actively working to push back against the University’s recently announced dining policy, which would require all undergraduate students to purchase a dining hall plan regardless of their eating club membership. The ICC is currently drafting a larger joint response outlining the policy’s financial and community impact, emphasizing the importance of preserving student choice and the long-standing role of eating clubs in Princeton’s social and dining culture. A preliminary statement has been published with the Daily Princetonian.
Overall, the Officers have found it both a privilege and a joy to oversee the daily operations of the club, striving to make every member’s experience at Cap warm, engaging, and memorable. We look forward to carrying this same energy and dedication through the rest of the semester with the continued support of Club Steward Dennis, House Manager Oscar Campos, Business Manager Toni Carver, Chef Nick, Kitchen Steward Greg Bonagura, our wonderful staff, the Graduate Board, and most importantly, our members.