Delta Zeta Reportedly Sues DePauw

exlurker · #1 03-28-2007, 04:05 PM

Article on USA Today web site:

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

Excerpt from article:

Delta Zeta, the national sorority ousted this month from DePauw University for removing 23 women from active membership, filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the university.
It argues that DePauw administrators not only were aware of the sorority's activities last semester as it sought to revive a struggling chapter, but that they made "clear and unambiguous promises" to help the sorority. The lawsuit also argues that the national publicity surrounding the controversy could harm the long-term ability of the sororitiy to expand nationally. . . .

Earlier GC thread on the DePauw - Delta Zeta situation:

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...ad.php?t=85032

#2 03-28-2007, 04:17 PM

Oh Jesus H. Christ.

If HQ was so worried about how this would affect them expanding, they should have thought about that before they pulled this shit with DePauw. They couldn't even perform good damage control.

No disrespect to the DZ sisters, but I hope HQ's ass loses this case.

BabyPiNK_FL · #3 03-28-2007, 04:17 PM

OH MY! Well-if this is true. I would think it would be in their best interest to let it die down and go away. I guess they are trying to clear their name. We'll see how this plays out...

OrigamiTulip · #4 03-28-2007, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exlurker

The lawsuit also argues that the national publicity surrounding the controversy could harm the long-term ability of the sororitiy to expand nationally. . . .

And they think that a lawsuit is going to help? Its just going to continue to draw attention to the situation, and generate more negative publicity.

NutBrnHair · #5 03-28-2007, 04:18 PM

"They'd like to have their good name restored and they'd like to have the chapter continue to operate," says Kevin O'Neill, an attorney with Patton Boggs in Washington, D.C., who has been consulting with Delta Zeta officials.

Kevin O'Neill is good.

This should be very interesting.

#6 03-28-2007, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NutBrnHair

"They'd like to have their good name restored and they'd like to have the chapter continue to operate," says Kevin O'Neill, an attorney with Patton Boggs in Washington, D.C., who has been consulting with Delta Zeta officials.

Kevin O'Neill is good.

This should be very interesting.

Very few at DePauw wanted to be DZ before this happened. Not saying that the sisterhood wasn't good enough -- but they were a struggling chapter with low numbers. Those are facts.

What makes DZ think that women at DePauw will want to join their organization now? It's like going to a party when it's obvious no one wants you there.

But hey...to Delta Chapter's 5 members. Go on wit' yo bad self, I guess.

NutBrnHair · #7 03-28-2007, 04:33 PM

Perhaps some of our top posters here on the subject will be asked to testify (since we all know so darn much about it)!

exlurker · #8 03-28-2007, 04:34 PM

Delta Zeta HQ has a statement about the federal lawsuit posted on their web site, http://www.deltazeta.org/

Excerpt:

The university's actions leave us with little recourse for uncovering the truth and restoring the good reputation of Delta Zeta. As a result, Delta Zeta filed a federal lawsuit this morning in Indiana, alleging DePauw University has defamed our organization and our members, broken its contractual obligations to the sorority, and interfered with our business relationships. . . .

The statement on the web site says that a lawsuit was NOT Delta Zeta's preferred form of action.

#9 03-28-2007, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exlurker

Delta Zeta HQ has a statement about the federal lawsuit posted on their web site, http://www.deltazeta.org/

Excerpt:

The university's actions leave us with little recourse for uncovering the truth and restoring the good reputation of Delta Zeta. As a result, Delta Zeta filed a federal lawsuit this morning in Indiana, alleging DePauw University has defamed our organization and our members, broken its contractual obligations to the sorority, and interfered with our business relationships. . . .

The statement on the web site says that a lawsuit was NOT Delta Zeta's preferred form of action.

I just read it.

I feel for DZ's chapters and her thousands of members worldwide who have to suffer because HQ just can't seem to let DePauw go.

This lawsuit simply isn't worth it.

33girl · #10 03-28-2007, 04:51 PM

How is DePauw going to "restore [DZ's] good name"?

Have President Bottoms (you're right Sandy, it is funny) go around the country saying OMG DZ IS TEH ROXXORS??

Every single sorority has had scandals - hazing, badly conducted membership reviews, accepting money from questionable sources, drug problems, what have you. The difference has been in the way the sorority handled it once it hit the street.

JonInKC · #11 03-28-2007, 04:52 PM

Drolefille · #12 03-28-2007, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USA Today Article

Among other things, the lawsuit wants ... DePauw [to] be ordered to "affirmatively acknowledge" that Delta Zeta did not make any decision based on appearance or race.

How in the world would this change a thing? And how would DePauw know this one way or the other? This implies the DePauw itself had insight into the reorg. process. I'm not sure exactly what DePauw said in its press releases but I don't think they claimed to know anything unilaterally. If anything they were primarily concerned with the turning out of members without regards to finals and housing.

Quote:

"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 says. "That's a major concern for all the fraternities."

Cause that's clearly what this is about.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DZHQ

As a result, Delta Zeta filed a federal lawsuit this morning in Indiana, alleging DePauw University has defamed our organization and our members, broken its contractual obligations to the sorority, and interfered with our business relationships. While a lawsuit was our least preferred alternative, DePauw University must be held accountable for this unprecedented attack on our members and on the legitimate membership activities of our organization.

What sort of contractual obligations does a university have to a student group on its campus? Particularly a GLO which does not usually (in my experience) receive funds from the university itself.

DZ also says:

Quote:

Originally Posted by USA Today Article

It argues that administrators at DePauw... made "clear and unambiguous promises" to help the sorority.

But that's not the same thing as "contractual obligations."

Surely they know this is just going to stir the pot, right? They can't be that naive right? I'm losing faith in humanity...

exlurker · #13 03-28-2007, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drolefille

. . . I'm losing faith in humanity...

Hello, Drolefille, and welcome to GreekChat

mystikchick · #14 03-28-2007, 05:11 PM

how could this possibly be a good idea? was the first round not enough of an exercise in pain and humiliation for all concerned?

BetteDavisEyes · #15 03-28-2007, 05:12 PM

How is this lawsuit going to repair the damage they did to themselves? The best thing would be to just let DePauw go and forget about that 100 year milestone. It obviously isn't worth it. We see it. Why can't they?

I feel for all the members of DZ who are seeing their GLO dragged through the mud. It's not fair to them and it really just sucks.