Delta Zeta Reportedly Sues DePauw

[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?

Originally Posted by TSteven

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.

You're right, it is the campus PHC that decides which NPC will be invited to expand. However, to say that this won't be taken into consideration by the women who sit on PHC is just plain ridiculous. I'm sure they'll make the best decisions on what's right for their campus, but this situation's left DZ with a big fat Scarlet Letter, IMO.

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.

You live in a perfect world. Sure, we'll have the open minded PNMs, but speaking as someone who used to be an impressionable 18 year old freshman, reps are everything. They don't give a shit about the litigation, but I'm thinking that there will be a lot of them who won't want to rush a sorority with a national bad rep even though it's at no fault of the individual chapters.

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?

No chapters have closed. See kddani's post above. She explains it nicely.

[Tom Earp]

Sorry but KD screwed up and trying now making amends and or suing!

What is wrong with this picture!

Is the school wrong? Is the GLO wrong?

[NutBrnHair]

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

Sorry but KD screwed up and trying now making amends and or suing!

What is wrong with this picture!

Is the school wrong? Is the GLO wrong?

::::::::::ducking:::::::::::

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

Sorry but KD screwed up and trying now making amends and or suing!

What is wrong with this picture!

Is the school wrong? Is the GLO wrong?

Um, it's Delta Zeta.

[Beryana]

While I don't necessarily agree with the lawsuit, but who started the media frenzy that has lead to the lawsuit? Was it the chapter members that were granted alumnae status or was it the university?

[UGAalum94]

I doubt that really strong chapters have much to worry about if their reputations on campus are solid. I agree that to PNMs, reputation is paramount, but local reputation may matter more than national rep. if the chapter is highly desirable already.

Weaker chapters working to rebuild and strengthen are likely to be affected the most, and they are already in the most precarious position. Questionable local reputation plus complicated national image crisis equals low turnout on bid day, I'm willing to bet.

I just can't see how staying out of the news isn't the best course of action. Maybe we'll be amazed at how wrong the information in the press is. (Heck, I agree that the media generally keeps reporting the story they know gets attention. Sometimes they are a little more casual about following up with the real details.)

ETA: Oh, NutBrwHair, me too. I don't want to get caught in the crossfire I think is about to break out. Tom, did you post that error intentionally? KD????? Correct it, man.

[jadis96]

Originally Posted by TSteven

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."



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?

Actually I had one mother who works with me come and see me a few months ago because her daughter had just accepted a bid at another school in Indiana and she was worried that maybe she should counsel her daughter to de-pledge because of this. She knew I was in a sorority and wanted my opinion. While I said I thought it was no big deal in the long run and I was sure her daughter would be fine, I found it sad that the mother's first national exposure to her daughter's sorority was this. That is where I can see this effecting DZ's numbers... if parents caution against DZ due to the media.

[dgdramadawg]

Originally Posted by jadis96

Actually I had one mother who works with me come and see me a few months ago because her daughter had just accepted a bid at another school in Indiana and she was worried that maybe she should counsel her daughter to de-pledge because of this. She knew I was in a sorority and wanted my opinion. While I said I thought it was no big deal in the long run and I was sure her daughter would be fine, I found it sad that the mother's first national exposure to her daughter's sorority was this. That is where I can see this effecting DZ's numbers... if parents caution against DZ due to the media.

I totally agree that it could affect PNMs, especially ones without Greek networks they can turn to for guidance. My mother and I were both Greek, so we know enough to help my sister see that every chapter is different and she should be looking for the best fit at HER school. But I have definitely already had two senior students ask me questions about whether they should rush at all because of articles their parents read in the papers about this whole situation (neither mentioned DZ; they were concerned that this was general practice for all sororities). I wonder if we will see a decline in rushers overall because girls will get a bad taste of NPC orgs from the DePauw incident and from all of the media coverage... I hope not.

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by jadis96

Actually I had one mother who works with me come and see me a few months ago because her daughter had just accepted a bid at another school in Indiana and she was worried that maybe she should counsel her daughter to de-pledge because of this. She knew I was in a sorority and wanted my opinion. While I said I thought it was no big deal in the long run and I was sure her daughter would be fine, I found it sad that the mother's first national exposure to her daughter's sorority was this. That is where I can see this effecting DZ's numbers... if parents caution against DZ due to the media.

I'm sure it will happen. But I feel any "fall out" isn't going to be restricted to just Delta Zeta but perhaps sororities (and fraternities) in general.

In any case, you did the right thing and pointed out that this was an isolated incident and that her daughter would be fine. (We hope.) As such, the daughter didn't de-pledge. This is what I anticipate to be the likely scenario for a while. Initial concern, followed by reassurance at the chapter (local) level.