Male-Advocacy Student Group at U. of Chicago Stirs Debate

A new student group called Men in Power is stirring up debate at the University of Chicago, with some critics deeming it unnecessary and possibly misogynistic, and others saying it’s about time the university had a group focusing on career issues for men, the Chicago Tribune reports. The group’s president, Steve Saltarelli, says that Men in Power does not have a sexist agenda and that its 125 members include men and women.

Mr. Saltarelli, a third-year student who plans to attend law school, started Men in Power after writing a satirical column suggesting the need for such an organization. “Anyone with an interest in both studying and learning from men in powerful positions, as well as issues involved with reverse sexism, may become a member of MiP,” he wrote. After the column ran, in March, he started hearing from people who wanted to join.

The university has about nine women’s advocacy groups, Sharlene Holly, associate dean of students and director of student activities, told the Tribune. Men in Power would be its first male-advocacy group. Ms. Holly said she expected to approve the group’s application this week to become a registered student organization. —Charles Huckabee