UC-Davis: Co-ed Group Request to Associate with Panhellenic

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by LaneSig

-Lambda Delta Lambda, while identifying itself as a sorority, allows males to join. This would be a conflict with Panhellenic and its protection under Title IX rules that allow for it to remain single-sex (as IFC is protected to remain single-sex).

I question the accuracy of this. Is Panhellenic actually protected under Title IX? I doubt it. Panhellenic is not itself comprised of people, whether single-sex or co-ed; it is comprised of specific organizations whose single-sex status is protected under Title IX. There's a difference.

Likewise, I don't think that either the NIC or a campus IFC are protected under Title IX; the organizations that are members of it are. And at least on some NIC organizations, chapters of which may also be members of campus IFCs—Psi Upsilon and Delta Psi/St. Anthony Hall, for example—are not single sex. That would seem to indicate that allowing some co-ed organizations into the NIC or an IFC in no way imperils the Title IX status of other NIC or IFC members.

Of course, whether this org could "mesh" with Panhellenic is a different question.

[dukedg]

As the Advisory Team Chairman for the DG chapter here, I can assure you all that we are way beyond the Area Adviser. The NPC President, NPC Counsel and UCD Counsel are all involved.

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I question the accuracy of this. Is Panhellenic actually protected under Title IX? I doubt it. Panhellenic is not itself comprised of people, whether single-sex or co-ed; it is comprised of specific organizations whose single-sex status is protected under Title IX. There's a difference.

I think this is the crux of the issue along with complying with our Campus Panhellenic Bylaws, which reference Unanimous Agreements.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by dukedg

I think this is the crux of the issue along with complying with our Campus Panhellenic Bylaws, which reference Unanimous Agreements.

I guess I'm having trouble seeing how same-sex status is the crux of the issue. Title IX states that requirements that membership in school organizations be open to members of both sexes, but then exempts from that requirement "a social fraternity or social sorority which is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of Title 26, the active membership of which consists primarily of students in attendance at an institution of higher education." Panhellenic is not "a social sorority."

[amIblue?]

Originally Posted by dukedg

As the Advisory Team Chairman for the DG chapter here, I can assure you all that we are way beyond the Area Adviser. The NPC President, NPC Counsel and UCD Counsel are all involved.



I think this is the crux of the issue along with complying with our Campus Panhellenic Bylaws, which reference Unanimous Agreements.

Good luck, dukedg!

[dukedg]

Originally Posted by amIblue?

Good luck, dukedg!

Thanks, I need it! I don't want to share too many details on the arguments at this point since there are professionals on both sides much more familiar with the legalities than I am. Once there is a resolution, I will be happy to share more.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I question the accuracy of this. Is Panhellenic actually protected under Title IX? I doubt it. Panhellenic is not itself comprised of people, whether single-sex or co-ed; it is comprised of specific organizations whose single-sex status is protected under Title IX. There's a difference.

Likewise, I don't think that either the NIC or a campus IFC are protected under Title IX; the organizations that are members of it are. And at least on some NIC organizations, chapters of which may also be members of campus IFCs—Psi Upsilon and Delta Psi/St. Anthony Hall, for example—are not single sex. That would seem to indicate that allowing some co-ed organizations into the NIC or an IFC in no way imperils the Title IX status of other NIC or IFC members.

Of course, whether this org could "mesh" with Panhellenic is a different question.

This was my thought, too. If the CPH has to admit both genders, that sure as heck doesn't mean the individual groups do.