discrimination
 

i have a friend and without giving too much information he has been rejected by several fraternities because he has learning and psychiatric disabilities. they were aware of this because the school is small and because a friend told everyone about this. so my question what can be done? what should be done?

I'm sorry to hear about your friend's unsuccessful recruitment. However, fraternities and sororities, as private organizations, can choose new members based on any criteria they wish. Also, as membership selection is private, there is no way to challenge it.

I understand that they are private but I guess my question was more regarding their operations since they go through multiple universities, they operate in multiple states so i guess what i am wondering is can they do that?

Being a private organization has nothing to do with operating in multiple states.

You have no idea why your friend wasn't given a bid. Maybe his disability has zero to do with it and he's just a douche.

when i am talking about operating in multiple states is that federal rules prohibit discrimination regardless if it is public or private organization.

well i wouldn't know but they written it in a letter and signed it. so my question what to do with it?

why would you do anything with it? It's not your problem, it's your friend's problem.

I don't believe that any such law applies to membership selection in private social organizations.Anyway, why would your friend want to join a group that clearly didn't want him?

As a private organization, we are able to have certain criteria for membership. Sadly, I am not up to date on the exact law/bylaws/whatever it is that allows us to have our criteria, but if we were unprotected, we would be sued all over the place by being single sex organizations. It is most likely the same reason why I can't be a freemason.

ETA: GC lawyers/people who know more than me, is this Freedom of Association, Freedom of Assembly, or something similar?

First: Well I wouldn't know, but they wrote it in a letter and signed it. My question is: what to do about the situation which I deem discriminatory?

I fixed it for you. As has already been replied, it is not discriminatory. Organizations have membership criteria that they follow. Secondly, I have never heard of an organization that sends letters explaining their reasons for not giving a bid. I'm not saying you are lying, I'm just saying "Who the Hell does that?!?!?" Anyone heard of this before?

As for what to do: Well, the situation sucks. Rejection really does suck and it's normal to be upset up to a point. However, at your small school does your friend really want to be known for suing an organization who decided against your friend joining? Perhaps if your friend really does have problems, he should see a counselor and focus on his treatment and schoolwork instead of going after this fraternity.

My friend has been there a lot for me and for many people, he doesn't have a lot of friends because no one really accepts him as a result of the disability.

I get that it is a private organization but by that logic seems that they can discriminate on anything? In other words can fraternities say that do not want any african americans in their group?

Why they rejected him? I cannot tell you why.

Yes. And they did for many, many years.

and for some groups, until quite recently as well

until? that gives the sense they do not any longer?

Good grief.

Your question has been answered. We don't know why "your friend" was rejected. There's nothing you can do.

Neither you nor your "friend" know the reason(s) he did not receive a bid. That he did not receive a bid from multiple fraternities indicates there was a consistent uncertainty about his fitness as a member, for whatever reason.

No one can force a private organization to admit any member nor can they force a private organization to reveal their selection process or reasons for declining someone's membership. If this is bothering your "friend" so much, it's probably time for a visit to student health to discuss his feelings. No amount of questioning strangers on the internet, appealing to the fraternities involved or threats of legal action are going to change his non-member status.

Right no one knows the reasons, except for the letter written by one of the fraternities in an attempt to be cruel?

My question bore on the level of what to do.

There is some level of personal and emotional vestment coming in these responses. is there some personal fear of anyone with a learning disability being admitted in your fraternity or sorority?