Delta Zeta Reportedly Sues DePauw

[GeekyPenguin]

I think a large reason parents figure in more these days is because of the price of college. My mom and I went to the same school and we both had half scholarships. She was able to make up the rest in working part-time and a few grand in federal loans. I had to take out five figures of federal loans, worked part-time, and had to get help from my parents. She paid off her loans within 5 years of graduation. There's no way I'd be able to do that.

[UGAalum94]

Yeah, the cost of college is said to have increased at a rate far beyond inflation. It's interesting that you can compare within your own family so directly.

(I think that the perhaps "over-involvement" of parents is part of a broader societal trend, but maybe it is about the expense of raising kids and college is one aspect.)

[cjr]

I think that some folks posting to this thread are a little too concerned with legality. That is, many are defending Delta Zeta National's actions, simply because they were legal, and at least a few are decrying DePauw's expulsion of Delta Zeta as illegal (in violation of their agreement). Let's face facts, for most people, perceptions are reality, and certainly most people perceive the actions taken by the Delta Zeta National Organization to be at least poorly executed, if not actually illegal or unethical. Similarly, most people perceive DePauw's response as appropriate, even if it stretches the bounds of legality. Please note that I do not have the expertise to pass an opinion on the merits of the lawsuit from a legal standpoint, but from a public perception standpoint, it is clearly a loser. It remains to be seen exactly how Delta Zeta in particular and Greek organizations in general will be affected, but I have a hard time seeing anything positive coming out of this situation, regardless of the outcome of the lawsuit.

Full disclosure: I came to this thread looking for a link to the text of the lawsuit. I am neither an active nor alumni member of a fraternity. My interest in this matter? As the saying goes, my daughter - and my money - go to DePauw. She is a freshman who intends to pledge a sorority, but has decided for a variety of reasons to wait until her sophomore year. My feeling is that parents are much more involved in their children's lives on campus than they were a million years ago when I was in college; surf the net for articles on "helicopter parents" for some back up. I'm doing my best to resist the impulse to run my daughter's life on campus. We've talked about the Delta Zeta situation, but no more than exchanging opinions on what happened and why.

cjr

[frisbee]

"Full disclosure: I came to this thread looking for a link to the text of the lawsuit. I am neither an active nor alumni member of a fraternity. My interest in this matter? As the saying goes, my daughter - and my money - go to DePauw. cjr[/quote]"


I have text of the lawsuit but it is as a pdf file and I can't copy a link here. I will try and see if I can figure a way to private message it to you, or exchange emails.

I am a former DZ from DePauw (older than most of you posting here for sure). I've had a few chuckles at your debates on what things were like in the '80s. I can tell you that even before that, things were pretty much exactly the same as they are now. The more things change, the more they remain the same.

I also know that the Greek situation at DePauw is far different than it is at most schools. With over 70% Greek, being in a house is just about like living in a different housing unit. There are very few dorms, and few apartments off campus. Greencastle is a tiny town. Being evicted midyear would present a huge problem in housing in a very small time window.

Frisbee
DZ, DePauw
Long ago and far away

"Life is a long walk uphill. Drop the Rocks."

[LXA SE285]

Robert G. Bottoms, DePauw's President Since 1986, Announces Retirement Plans

Probably unrelated to the DZ debacle, but the timing is interesting ...

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by LXA SE285

Robert G. Bottoms, DePauw's President Since 1986, Announces Retirement Plans

Probably unrelated to the DZ debacle, but the timing is interesting ...

Wow, that's a hella long time to serve as a university president in this day and age. I didn't realize he was president when I was accepted there.

[dzdelta2007]

Originally Posted by LXA SE285

Robert G. Bottoms, DePauw's President Since 1986, Announces Retirement Plans

Probably unrelated to the DZ debacle, but the timing is interesting ...

timing may be interesting but is of little to no value, there had been talk of him leaving for a few years