Interesting legal battle over GLO membership

[PenguinTrax]

Sorority recruitment case back in court
By JAMES L. ROSICA
Copyright 2000 Tallahassee Democrat

A Florida A&M University sorority chapter is getting a chance to persuade a local judge to lift his order banning the group from recruiting new members.

Circuit Judge Terry Lewis granted Delta Sigma Theta's request for a new hearing on April 17, according to court records.

Lewis "permanently restrained" the chapter from accepting new members after the group did not respond to a summons for a lawsuit filed against it in February.

Daria C. Dawson, a junior, sued the sorority Feb. 25, saying she was denied membership in the sorority's Beta Alpha chapter after chapter president Julye Williams and others "applied an arbitrary standard for admissions that was inconsistent with past applications," the suit said.

Dawson said the denial "aggravated" her Crohn's disease, an inflammatory disorder of the digestive system that can cause chronic abdominal pain and weight loss, according to medical literature.

Instead of damages, her lawsuit asked for a permanent injunction, which would prohibit the sorority chapter from accepting new members. Dawson's attorney, Gary Roberts of Tallahassee, did not return a call Wednesday.

Williams, however, never responded to legal papers informing her of the lawsuit. Because she did not answer, the chapter was found to be in "default" and Lewis ruled for Dawson.

Tallahassee attorney Robert King High Jr., who is representing the sorority with law partner Deeno Kitchen, said Williams was waiting for the sorority's national headquarters in Washington, D.C., to be served.

"We're hoping the default and final judgment will be set aside and the case will be heard on its merits," High said.

Court filings explain that Williams thought the national sorority's lawyers would handle the suit. Lewis, then, will consider that and other arguments to reopen the case.

This week is the sorority's annual Delta Week on campus, which includes parties, contests and other activities. The chapter is allowed to conduct such activities as long as they're not intended to recruit new members.
http://www.tdo.com/news/local/0406.loc.sorority.htm



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Fraternally,
Barbara
Zeta Tau Alpha Alumna

If you have to go around telling everyone you're in charge you're not much of a leader.

[33girl]

BAD JUDGE!!!!

He is restricting their freedom of association rights! His decision will no doubt be thrown out. This should have never even been a suit.

They can be restricted from recruiting on campus but unless the national lifts their charter they are allowed to contiune to take new members.

[prospectiverushee]

What does the school have to say about all this? Did they agree to this ruling? Did they know anything about the case before the hearing? Did the girl first talk to school officials before filing her lawsuit?

Barb,

You always come across the most interesting things.

Based on the article, it seems that the judge had no choice but to find for the plantiff as the defendant did not show. (I know people who have gotten out of speeding tickets because the police officer did not show up for court. OK, so that's a vice versa expample.)

The chapter president should have notified her advisor and chapter attorney immediately instead of taking the "wait & see" approach. The advisor and the attorney would notify HQ and they could handle matter from there. However, the chapter attorney could have filed something on her behalf. (The article did not mention if these things were done.)

We had a similar situtation on my campus where a new initiate felt that she was being slandered by some "jealous" members of her chapter. She sued the individual "slanderers", the chapter officers for "condoning" their actions and the national organization for allowing the chapter to "operate" in that fashion. The chapter and national attornies took care of it. The initiate dropped her suit during arbitration.

It will be interesting to see how this DST matter turns out.

[Tigger]

I agree with the judge's decision. Now before you get mad, listen to my reasoning.

Whether or not the plaintiff or the defendant were right or wrong in their actions, that's not the issue. The issue is that the sorority found it appropriate to not respond. Maybe you can do that in a social situation, but when it comes to a legal situation wouldn't you feel the need to defend yourself? That is, if you are innocent.

What choice did the judge have but to judge for the plaintiff? There was no representative to defend the organization, if you have no defense how can you be found innocent?

As far as what would have happened if they had showed, is left to be seen by the appeals. But either way, the sorority used bad judgement and in turn made themselves look worse.

I don't agree with suing the group, at least not with my limited information on the situation, maybe dealing with it on a university level but not through the courts. Face it, we all deal with rejection at some point whether it is justified or not.

This poor girl, she obviously is in for a huge shock when she realizes that she won't be able to sue for everything. Wait until she is passed over for jobs! I'm sure we'll see her name in the papers again in the future. And most likely as the plaintiff once again....

[BatonRougeDelta]

They were out for Spring Break...Let's wait and see what happens. Membership is a priveledge, not a RIGHT only a REAL SORRY individual would prevent others from rightfully obtaining something just because they were too stupid to properly fill out an application.

[Finer Woman10-A-91]

Membership is a priveledge, not a RIGHT.[/B]

You said it. Sometimes I think people get caught up in believing the priority is to pledge. Its not. If you get rejected, why would you want to FORCE the chapter to take you? I for one would not want to be down with an organization that did not want me, especially if I knew I met all of the requirements.

And from what I understand, since the young lady has sued delta she is now no longer eligible for membership.

[dstbrat]

just an update, the young lady lost her suit and spr2000 beta alpha chapter of famu was presented. you cannot sue delta for membership. you cannot sue delta, lose, and be a member. it is unfortuate that some women think that the legal system is their only recourse. it is also sad that when people are not chosen that they automatically assume that the orgainzation is at fault. sometimes you should just work on your resume' and wait your turn.

[cubscout#7]

I dont advocate hatin by BGLOs even when it gets down to the paper/skater discussions or the active/inactive arguments but seriosly I hope the girl who initiated this absurd lawsuit gets no respect from any BGLO member or GLO member of WGLO member of LGLO member on her campus. she shouldnt get respect from any colored person on her campus period.

[PenguinTrax]

The woman in question attends a Historically Black University. Her mother was a Delta. There are no NPC, IFC or Latino GLOs on that campus. Only NPHC and professional/honorary groups are at FAMU.

Interestingly enough, everyone here has been saying that the girl lost her suit and the chapter was allowed to take new members. There's been no mention of a settlement/judgement in the local papers, so unless someone can point to a reliable source, the matter still may be under review by the Circuit Court.

Barb in Tallahassee (Home of FAMU).

[dstbrat]

our national president announced at our annual event Delta Days at the Nation's Capitol that the sorority had won the suit. the ladies were allowed to cross and the student who sued is not a member of that line. i hope this clears things up.

[crimsonsoror1913]

OOOOO-OOOOOP Sorors! Much luv sent to the sorors at FAMU. I will say that I am a proud member of DST, not because it was given to me but because I worked for it and earned it. To that GDI, sorry , you'll never stop the flow of the true, the dedicated and the devastating Ladies of Delta Sigma Theta.
Imagine her presence in our honored sorority.
Well now she knows what you have to shed a tear means.

OO-OOOP
CrimsonSoror1913
#20 Deltatude

[Finer Woman10-A-91]

Congratulations to the SP2000 girls that crossed at Beta Alpha chapter! One of college roommate's sisters crossed dst there in 96. I know it broke her heart to hear of that crazy drama. What blows me is why she would be so foolish in the first place. Anyways, Delta's victory was a victory to all of Greekdom. I will say it again MEMBERSHIP in ANY Sorority or Fraternity is an HONOR and PRIVILEDGE...NOT a right.

Originally posted by dstbrat:
just an update, the young lady lost her suit and spr2000 beta alpha chapter of famu was presented. you cannot sue delta for membership. you cannot sue delta, lose, and be a member. it is unfortuate that some women think that the legal system is their only recourse. it is also sad that when people are not chosen that they automatically assume that the orgainzation is at fault. sometimes you should just work on your resume' and wait your turn.

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Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated...Every Woman's Dream!

[SKEEphistAKAte]

Not to be in Delta business, but I heard through the grapevine that Daria C. Dawson, who now works for Congress, is currently applying for alumnae membership in Delta chapters in the greater D.C. metro area...

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by PenguinTrax

The woman in question attends a Historically Black University. Her mother was a Delta. There are no NPC, IFC or Latino GLOs on that campus. Only NPHC and professional/honorary groups are at FAMU.

Interestingly enough, everyone here has been saying that the girl lost her suit and the chapter was allowed to take new members. There's been no mention of a settlement/judgement in the local papers, so unless someone can point to a reliable source, the matter still may be under review by the Circuit Court.

Barb in Tallahassee (Home of FAMU).

Thank You Barb. What school is it?

Why talk around the situation?

I am glad a sensible Judge did the right decission.

People do not have the right to be invited into organizations, they are invited and that is it. INVITED is the key to all of this.