AGDee |
03-01-2007 06:17 PM |
And, this is also why I have some empathy for the DZ folks. We have had this type of reorganization at both our U of Mich chapter (Alpha Beta... actually a recolonization) and Ohio State (Alpha Lambda chapter). We have big houses at each that have to maintained and closing completely would be a real hardship. We are dealing with that at our Chi chapter (Michigan State) and our Alpha chapter (Syracuse) and possibly others that I'm not aware of. If the administration at either campus had told us we could NOT reorganize/recolonize, I'm not sure what we would have been able to do. I spent the weekend with two International Council members right before they were going to Ohio State to tell the chapter what was going to happen and they were just heartsick about it. It isn't as though it's an easy thing or happy thing to do. It's probably the worst part of being an International officer. They did go out of their way to meet with the women and let them know that they were valued members of our Fraternity and instantly gave them ways to remain involved as alumnae. The members were very tired from constantly trying to recruit for years and didn't have a great collegiate experience because of it.
Some of those women could have become angry and went to the press and said all kinds of things about why they were made alumnae though. And it could have blown up like the DZ situation did. Maybe our officers handled it really well..maybe the women were more understanding of the situation.. maybe it was pure luck. The DZ HQs have sent out a letter saying that they really regret notifying the women by letter instead of in person. Perhaps it could have been averted if they had handled that part of it differently. But, perhaps it wouldn't have.
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