Those girls didn't look like they had a grooming problem or that they didn't know how to put on make up. In the picture they all look clean, well groomed, made up...just not barbies. I get the impression it might have been more along the lines of changing their body types and clothing styles. Which involves genetics and something that can be very important to a person's identity.

Then someone is a sicko.

DePauw Graduate
 

I actually posted this on another board. But here is my opinion as a fellow greek at DePauw.

I actually graduated from DePauw University in 2006. I was not a Delta Zeta there, but I was a Rho Gamma (recruitment guide) my senior year. I am absolutely disgusted by the way nationals handled this situation. I think it is difficult for any chapter at DePauw because the school is very small and stereotypically charged. It seems that a lot of pressure is put on appearance at DePauw. It is rare to see someone wearing sweatpants to class (unless it was a heavy drinking night the night before). The campus is inondated with pearls, designer labels and greek letters. Girls tend to be very up to date with fashion, and it is well known that DePauw kids have a "work hard play hard" attitude. About 80% of the campus is greek and your greek status defines who you are around campus. it is often overheard "do you know so and so? she was an alpha alpah." usually a statement like that is enough to pass judgment.
By no means am i condoning the behavior of students at depauw, because as i am now removed from the campus and lifestyle i actually realize how shallow and immature greek life was at times. Yes, of course i had great memories, lasting friendships, and out chapter did a lot for the community. I still support greek life and depauw university, but it was often taken to the extreme because of the size and emphasis on popularity/appearances.
My first year recruitment was a blur, but i remember going to the DZ house. before we even walked in many of the girls were saying things like "what a waste of time," "do we really have to go in?" "i really want to skip this house and go on to the others," "there's no reason to be here." The one thing i do remember about DZ was the fact that the girls who talked to me didn't even go to DePauw. Clearly, we didn't have much to talk about if you couldn't talk about campus, classes, involvement, etc. I just remember thinking how odd it was. I thought it actually made the house look worse because they had to bring in girls from other schools. Even though rush is fake in itself, this was the more disturbing display of falsity we saw through the whole process in my opinion. Although i do hate to admit this, when i cut Delta Zeta during recruitment i did cut them based on their stereotype. But i also wonder if i would have felt differently if i had actually met the women who lived in the house. maybe meeting the actual DZs, they would have erased the stereotypes i already had in my head. I can't help but think so.
the one thing i have to say about the women of DZ at DePauw is that they are such a strong bunch of girls and they have my support behind their decisions to deactivate.
I think that the nationals made a terrible mistake in overlooking the charm these women had. I think that DePauw needs more greek women like the Dela Zetas.

Something else from MSN ( and others covered it as well ):
University cuts ties with sorority
Group’s mass eviction of some members pointed to image discrimination
The Associated Press
Updated: 1:01 p.m. ET March 13, 2007

GREENCASTLE, Ind. - DePauw University’s president on Monday ordered a sorority off campus by fall after Delta Zeta kicked out nearly two dozen members and drew accusations that only attractive, popular students were asked to remain.
School President Robert G. Bottoms said the values of the sorority did not fit with the 2,200-student private college in western Indiana.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17581312/

I know sometimes being in a sorority does require one to give up small individual freedoms for the greater good...but I've never understood ANY rationalization of the attempt to change who a woman is for the sorority. Maybe because my campus is more liberal...here we ALL stress, repeatedly, that we won't change you, except for the better...and that's something you have control of. And it's true...I don't think any of the five NPC groups here change their women to fit a stereotype.

I read what the president had to say. Part of the problem, I think (though I've never been to DePauw, just read about it) is the campus culture in regards to the Greek system, as well as the DZ officials' desperation to keep the chapter, instead of risking its loss for the greater good. For instance,

"I didn't feel like I had to change who I was. I feel like they accepted me for who I am. They helped me grow. I probably wouldn't have even thought of being chapter president except for a couple girls in the house said, "I think you'd be great for it.""

THAT is what should be important. Not numbers, quotas, clothes, brands, fakeness, plastic....what she is describing is what sisterhood is about. If you join for sisterhood you joined to have a family away from home...and family accepts you for who you are, and loves you for it.

"I wasn't a big fan of chanting for recruitment or dressing up for weekly meetings. But I didn't mind singing before formal dinners because it's a ritual, and I've never been part of an organization that had rituals. Doing some of the things our founders did and honoring that was kind of cool."

Every chapter's requirements for chapter, or their attitude towards it, is different. Here, most of the sororities don't require every chapter to be badge dressed. That's because not all women are in love with high heels and uncomfortable dresses. What she did enjoy, though, was ritual. Ritual is far, far, FAR more important than the stupid songs we all sing during rush. It's what and who we are.

I see a woman who had a real sisterhood, based on family bonds. She honestly admits to not dressing up...but that doesn't mean she didn't when told to. She doesn't like the chants...it doesn't mean she didn't do them. Personally, I hate them. I'm not outgoing. But I put a smile on my face and chant like I'm on speed like every other sorority woman on campus, and keep that perm-a-smile on until the last PNM leaves. I prepare questions before they come in, and I fill awkward pauses if they're shy. Do I like it? No. Probably most of the PNMs don't either. I want them to feel as comfortable as possible, because its not their faults that they've been thrown into a room of loudly chanting women in matching outfits. If someone asked me what I didn't like about the process, that would be part of it. Will I and do I do it anyway? Of course...and always to the best of my ability. She could very well be the same.

In spite of he said she said situations, DZ stepped into it and got booted.

I do not care what Depauw feels or thinks, they also have a responsabilty for their students as over seers of the students who pay their money to go there.

Delta Zeta did not handle this very well and now, they are paying for it in the longest of terms. Never allowed on campus again even being one of the oldest DZ chapters in their history.

How sad is this problem?:o