Delta Zeta Reportedly Sues DePauw

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by sherbertlemons

Okay, I'm curious. Can anyone with a legal background explain exactly what equitable estoppel is? I'm assuming it's something along the lines of it's unfair to hold people to standards you aren't willing to abide by yourself, but I know next to nothing about law.

I'm pretty sure it doesn't apply. I researched some cases. I couldn't really find anything where equitable estoppal to third parties was something that ever worked.

Move on, nothing to see here

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by TSteven

Thank you counselor. A few follow up questions if I may.

In your opinion, is this the type of case that might be tried before a jury? Or do you feel it will more likely be tried before a judge. Also, based on the merits as presented (real and perceived), what is your opinion on the case being outright dismissed?

Whether or not the case would be tried before a jury would depend generally on (1) whether either party requests a jury and (2) whether the case presents questions of fact (which a jury or a judge, if there is no jury, can consider) or only questions of law (which are for a judge to decide). Even if there are questions of fact, if nobody requests a jury, it will be a bench trial.

And with no more knowledge than I have, it would be baseless to speculate on likelihood of dismissal.

Originally Posted by TSteven

estoppel

equitable estoppel . . . .

Very good job! And I think Kevin is right -- I'm not seeing how it could be applicable here.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Very good job! And I think Kevin is right -- I'm not seeing how it could be applicable here.

I was trying to frame a legal theory for "What comes around goes around." We'd have to call it "equitable estoppal as to third parties."

It sounds like it should exist, but it doesn't.

[SWTXBelle]

Now I'm curious - given that DZ was established so long ago at DePauw, what the (legal) agreement between the two was, if any. Surely the University gave some sort of recognition to DZ, similiar to the way a GLO grants a charter. Anyone know of such a document - even if it is in the minutes of a meeting of some sort?
Did it address housing as an issue at any time since then? Spell out anything else?
Does anyone know what the current procedure is when a GLO is invited to come on a campus? Surely in this day and age there is some sort of agreement.
AND - how will this change?

[ASUADPi]

As others have mentioned I don't think it is wise for DZ HQ to actually be pursuing this lawsuit. I guess they might be looking at it in the way 'we lost the battle but we'll win the war', which isn't the wisest thing to do. The media attention that was brought upon DZ with what happened has been nothing but negative. The bad thing about it is that negative publicity on greek life really effects us all, but it is going to effect them more.

They should really have just cut their losses and moved on and worry about the active chapters. They are the ones who are going to be walking into formal recruitment in the fall with all this media attention and negative scrutiny over thier heads. Telling your collegians how to respond to negative inquiries from PNM's should be a higher priority than a frivilous lawsuit. Even if they win, which I don't think they will, the campus most likely won't allow them to come back. And even if they were "ordered" to allow DZ back on campus, their reputations are shot and girls will probably not want to join.

I think they are looking at the small picture "I want action, I want justice' and not the big picture of "what is best for our collegians and alums nationwide. What is best for all sisters who proudly wear our letters?"

My heart really goes out to the women of DZ, this is not their fault, and they really are suffering the consequences more than anyone else.

[AlphaFrog]

Unfortunately, no good outcome for Greek life can come of this....

If DZ wins, it makes all Greeks look bad...if Depauw wins, it can set some legal precedents that Greek life will have a hard time dealing with.

[ASUADPi]

I didn't read all 9 pages, but did anyone mention what DZ is hoping to win by filing this lawsuit? Are they hoping that DePauw will allow them back on campus?

As I stated, that wouldn't be their wisest decision, unfortunately the reputation on that campus isn't great now. I don't know, worry about the other 157 chapters. Help those women. Support those women!

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by ASUADPi

I didn't read all 9 pages, but did anyone mention what DZ is hoping to win by filing this lawsuit? Are they hoping that DePauw will allow them back on campus?

As I stated, that wouldn't be their wisest decision, unfortunately the reputation on that campus isn't great now. I don't know, worry about the other 157 chapters. Help those women. Support those women!

Excellent point and well taken!

Now, whom gets the black eye over this situation?

DePauw for saying they are doing the right thing or DZ saaying they have the right to do what they feel is best?

So now, suit, counter suit, who does it help!

As has been said by many posters, just who does this help? Depaw, I am sure they do not care. DZ, well it seems to be a black eye and then, how in the overall picture does it hurt Greeks in Toto?

Mishandled, I would just venture a guess, yes.

[Peony]

Just read the legal complaint, and a written contract between Delta Zeta and DePauw does exist called the Greek Standards Initiative.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Peony

a written contract between Delta Zeta and DePauw does exist called the Greek Standards Initiative.

Linky pleeez?

[TSteven]

Greek Standards Initiative: DePauw University & DePauw Greek Community

Not sure if it will work. The "pdf" link didn't work, but the "view as HTML" did.

ETA: It looks like DePauw has taken it down from their website. Which is why you can't get the "pdf" file but the "HTML" one. I wonder why they would do that? Hmmm.

[exlurker]

Originally Posted by texas*princess

Yes it is really sad. They can post a whole page about how they are trying to sue the pants off of DePauw, but they can only write a tiny 1-inch blurb about how they "are sorry for any hurt feelings" the reorg may have caused their own sisters.

The executive director of DZ recently did an interview or question-and-answer thingy with USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/educati...sorority_N.htm

[Ch2tf]

Originally Posted by exlurker

The executive director of DZ recently did an interview or question-and-answer thingy with USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/educati...sorority_N.htm

Anyone else noticing that Ms. Menges still didn't answer most (if any) of the questions as they were asked of her???!!!!

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by Ch2tf

Anyone else noticing that Ms. Menges still didn't answer most (if any) of the questions as they were asked of her???!!!!

I did.

Then again... "We gave full statements. I personally was in a lot of interviews. The media chose to print what they printed."

[GeekyPenguin]

Originally Posted by Peony

Just read the legal complaint, and a written contract between Delta Zeta and DePauw does exist called the Greek Standards Initiative.

Where did you find the complaint?