Delta Zeta Reportedly Sues DePauw

[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?

[Buttonz]

Originally Posted by Heather17

My point was--this likely will not kill them.

I know this was posted a couple of times on the other thread but I'll go ahead and say this again:

I get the feeling that a lot of next years freshman are going to be wary of going DZ due to this situation. DZ just made it worse for themselves (although, really, I didn't think they were able to). If this starts to affect numbers everywhere for DZ and you see chapters starting to close, this will be a huge lost for DZ. #'s go down, 3 of chapters go down. Simple?

[ΑΓΔSquirrelGirl]

Originally Posted by Heather17

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.

That's the spin. But that's not what DePauw did at all. DePauw stated that it did not agree with the manner in which the reorganization ws carried out (evicting women in the middle of the school year with little notice) and then chose to sever ties because of DZ reactions and actions after the fact. They never tried to choose who should be a member. Don't drink the Koolaid.

[kddani]

Originally Posted by Heather17

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

And that may very well dwindle. Membership numbers will be down in the fall, and the longer this gets dragged out, the worse the results will be. Those 157 chapters have to be maintained. Thinking that this won't have any affect on their numbers and reputation is a mistake.

I'd also imagine that alumnae donations will decrease greatly, and they probably already have. This lawsuit will cost an arm and a leg. DZ's finances are going to likely be in peril.

There's a saying in law school/the legal field "bad facts equals bad law". If DZ did want to set an example and create certain "rights" for sororities and fraternities, they picked a horrible case to bring. This is NOT the case you want to use to set an example.

[TSteven]

I can understand why these should be valid concerns. However, I agree with Heather17 that this possible litigation will likely not harm them in the long run.

(Note: I'm just using OTW's post since she has summed up nicely the likely issues arising out of the possible litigation.)

Originally Posted by OTW

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

Maybe I don't understand how expansion works, but doesn't the campus NPC decide which NPC organization to invite and not the university? My guess is that in the short term, expansion may be put on hold by their HQ. Perhaps in perceived "weak" areas. (i.e. areas without alumna or other chapters). But I would also venture to guess that Delta Zeta will continue to do well in areas where they have a strong alumni base and respected chapters. In the long run, I feel they will be fine. My guess is that they do not *have to* expand at this time to continue to thrive down the line.

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?

I doubt that any 18 or 19 year old college freshman is going to be concerned about some sort of litigation thing when rushing. They will be more concerned about the specific chapter on their specific campus.

However, it would make for some fun rush threads. "Like OMG, I so like ABC cause they didn't sue the university." Or "I'm all for XYZ cause I want to be a lawyer and they are know as the suing sorority."

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

Perhaps I missed something, but has any other Delta Zeta chapter closed because of the DePauw debacle? If not, then why would any chapter close *because of* the DePauw debacle?