Delta Zeta Reportedly Sues DePauw

[BetteDavisEyes]

Originally Posted by mystikchick

how could this possibly be a good idea? was the first round not enough of an exercise in pain and humiliation for all concerned?

Apparently not. One black eye isn't enough. They want to go for the kill. I wish they'd let it go but then I'm not a member of DZ so it's different for me.

[exlurker]

DePauw has a response on its web site:

http://www.depauw.edu/news/index.asp?id=19185

The response quotes Ken Owen, a media relations person at DePauw: "We are disappointed in Delta Zeta's decision to initiate legal action. We believe that this lawsuit completely lacks merit and have every confidence that the courts will determine that the University acted lawfully and in the best interests of its students."

[ΑΓΔSquirrelGirl]

Originally Posted by JonInKC

Perfect description.

This is blatantly stupid. If there wasn't enough reason to replace this administration at DZ before, there should be now. There is a long and continuous chain of extremely horrible choices being made, and individual DZ sisters are going to have to suffer the aftermath even though this is not THEIR fault. IT'S ONE CHAPTER. LET IT GO. Good lord. I doubt there will be much name clearing, and I don't see how the university is in ANY way shape or form obligated to let them stay there. We're guests of our institutions...that's like being kicked out of the party then trying to break down the door to get back in.

[Drolefille]

Yeah, I'm not saying I had a lot of faith left! But jeez

[TSteven]

The lawsuit could have implications for fraternities and sororities nationwide. Generally, universities have no say over the internal operations of fraternities and sororities. "For a university to say, 'If you place this person on alumnae status, then we're not going to let you operate anymore,' the university is deciding that they get to choose the members," O'Neill [Kevin O'Neill, Delta Zeta's attorney] says. "That's a major concern for all the fraternities."

Regardless how anyone may fell about this situation, as Drolefille noted in an earlier post, the above is what this is about. As such, I agree with Mr. O'Neill that this should be a concern for all GLOs. And I am quite confident that every GLO HQ is going to follow this case rather closely.

[GDIfly]

Originally Posted by TSteven

The lawsuit could have implications for fraternities and sororities nationwide. Generally, universities have no say over the internal operations of fraternities and sororities. "For a university to say, 'If you place this person on alumnae status, then we're not going to let you operate anymore,' the university is deciding that they get to choose the members," O'Neill [Kevin O'Neill, Delta Zeta's attorney] says. "That's a major concern for all the fraternities."

Regardless how anyone may fell about this situation, as Drolefille noted in an earlier post, the above is what this is about. As such, I agree with Mr. O'Neill that this should be a concern for all GLOs. And I am quite confident that every GLO HQ is going to follow this case rather closely.

DePauw didn't decide to sever ties with DZ until after the media shitstorm that ensued. IIRC These girls were put on Alumnae status in December and DePauw didn't shut them down until 3 months later, after all the media. Although I'm sure DZ's legal team will try to spin it like this, it's pretty clear that DePauw didn't do this purely because of membership issues.

[sdsuchelle]

All I have to say is

WHAT ARE THEY THINKING?!

[LPIDelta]

Originally Posted by TSteven

The lawsuit could have implications for fraternities and sororities nationwide. Generally, universities have no say over the internal operations of fraternities and sororities. "For a university to say, 'If you place this person on alumnae status, then we're not going to let you operate anymore,' the university is deciding that they get to choose the members," O'Neill [Kevin O'Neill, Delta Zeta's attorney] says. "That's a major concern for all the fraternities."

Regardless how anyone may fell about this situation, as Drolefille noted in an earlier post, the above is what this is about. As such, I agree with Mr. O'Neill that this should be a concern for all GLOs. And I am quite confident that every GLO HQ is going to follow this case rather closely.

I agree. There is something larger at work than trying to repair a reputation. Plus, there may be property issues with the house that we're not aware of, etc. I am not sure a lawsuit is where I would have gone but I think this is something we all need to follow.

[DEVODUDE]

With this lawsuit against DePauw University, does DZ national think they have "A SNOWBALL CHANCE IN HELL" of returning to the university ifand when the DePauw NPC opens for expansion?

Originally Posted by DEVODUDE

With this lawsuit against DePauw University, does DZ national think they have "A SNOWBALL CHANCE IN HELL" of returning to the university ifand when the DePauw NPC opens for expansion?

Not only DePauw, but they've pretty much shot themselves in the foot and will be lucky if they'll be accepted to colonize when future campuses open for expansion.

[LPIDelta]

Originally Posted by OTW

Not only DePauw, but they've pretty much shot themselves in the foot and will be lucky if they'll be accepted to colonize when future campuses open for expansion.

they have 157 chapters--it sounds like they are pretty set.

Originally Posted by Heather17

they have 157 chapters--it sounds like they are pretty set.

Just because they have 157 chapters they should be content with not having to expand?

What about the effects of this negative publicity going into recruitment? What if PNMs don't want DZ and will have a negative opinion of DZ because of this?

157 is a great number, but G-d forbid any more of their chapters will close because the DePauw debacle.

[Buttonz]

Originally Posted by OTW

Not only DePauw, but they've pretty much shot themselves in the foot and will be lucky if they'll be accepted to colonize when future campuses open for expansion.

They got to be really stupid if they think that ANY school opened to colonization will even look at them right now.

Originally Posted by Heather17

they have 157 chapters--it sounds like they are pretty set.

Just because they have so many chapters doesn't mean they stop looking to add on new chapters.

I feel really bad for the sisters of DZ, I hope their IHQ realizes how much worse they just made the whole situation.

[LPIDelta]

My point was--this likely will not kill them. And I would be willing to bet that many Greek org leaders are cheering them on. When the central notion that we are private membership organizations is eroded, we lose a lot. They have the means to stand up for that on all our behalves and I think that's good.

[kddani]

Has anyone seen a copy of the complaint? Anybody know the docket number?