Bottoms releases letter to DZ nationals; chapter reorganization moves forward
By: Andy Bruner
Issue date: 2/20/07 Section: News
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Editor's note: An earlier version of this article appeared online Feb. 16 at www.thedepauw.com.
In a letter sent Monday to Delta Zeta sorority national president Deborah Raziano, President Robert G. Bottoms laid out the administration's "dissatisfaction" with DZ nationals' handling of the reorganization of DePauw's DZ chapter, the campus' smallest sorority in recent history.
Bottoms' letter comes after weeks of debate in the DePauw community concerning the fairness of DZ nationals' decision to place 23 women on alumnae status in early December following a membership review.
In the letter, Bottoms mentions four specific concerns: the negative attention the controversy has focused on DePauw's greek system, the timing of the decision, which came days before final exams, the housing problems for the women now on alumnae status and the confusion caused by poor communication from DZ nationals to the women. The women say they were told the decision to stay would be voluntary.
Dean of Students Cindy Babington, who has met with DZ active and alumna members to discuss the situation, expressed similar concerns.
"What criteria was used to place these women on alumnae status?" Babington said. "Maybe the bigger point of contention that I have is that the women ... have all reported to me that they were told it would be their choice whether to continue or not. ... I just don't think that's what happened."
Before the release of Bottoms' letter, DePauw administrators had remained largely silent on questions regarding DZ nationals' actions.
"It's a difficult time for all the students on both sides, and all along we've been trying to support the women who remain with the chapter and those who have left," said Tom Hansen, director of fraternity and sorority affairs.
Though she did not comment on the ethical status of DZ nationals' actions, Babington said the membership reviews, which took place in November, were out of the ordinary.
In a letter sent Monday to Delta Zeta sorority national president Deborah Raziano, President Robert G. Bottoms laid out the administration's "dissatisfaction" with DZ nationals' handling of the reorganization of DePauw's DZ chapter, the campus' smallest sorority in recent history.
Bottoms' letter comes after weeks of debate in the DePauw community concerning the fairness of DZ nationals' decision to place 23 women on alumnae status in early December following a membership review.
In the letter, Bottoms mentions four specific concerns: the negative attention the controversy has focused on DePauw's greek system, the timing of the decision, which came days before final exams, the housing problems for the women now on alumnae status and the confusion caused by poor communication from DZ nationals to the women. The women say they were told the decision to stay would be voluntary.
Dean of Students Cindy Babington, who has met with DZ active and alumna members to discuss the situation, expressed similar concerns.
"What criteria was used to place these women on alumnae status?" Babington said. "Maybe the bigger point of contention that I have is that the women ... have all reported to me that they were told it would be their choice whether to continue or not. ... I just don't think that's what happened."
Before the release of Bottoms' letter, DePauw administrators had remained largely silent on questions regarding DZ nationals' actions.
"It's a difficult time for all the students on both sides, and all along we've been trying to support the women who remain with the chapter and those who have left," said Tom Hansen, director of fraternity and sorority affairs.
Though she did not comment on the ethical status of DZ nationals' actions, Babington said the membership reviews, which took place in November, were out of the ordinary.
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