2008 Woodie Awards
Letter to the Editor: Campus to blame for DZ situation
Issue date: 2/20/07 Section: Opinion
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As a Delta Zeta alumna I am glad to see the campus engaging in dialogue over the recent issue involving my sorority. However, there are two issues that need to be debated, not one: How did DZ get in this predicament in the first place, and were nationals' actions fair?
Being a DZ was difficult, especially during rush. Rumors spread that we were not cute, not partiers, not popular. Every year we fought to combat those stereotypes. We only pledged "cute" girls. We dressed up for class. We made sure to party at fraternities. We had meetings about our image. But it still wasn't good enough. So we decided to be ourselves, to concentrate on sisterhood.
But you, the campus, didn't bite. You believed the rumors over the reality. That's when nationals revamped the Delta Zeta image and placed 23 women on alumnae status.
Women on campus: Why did you choose not to join Delta Zeta? Was it because we were unsocial? Unfriendly? Ugly? Or was it because you were scared to not be in the popular house?
I understand nationals' decision. In order for them to contend as a popular option on DePauw's campus, a drastic change needed to be made. Look at the women who were asked to remain and those who were asked to leave; you will see how nationals made their choice.
But the question still remains: Did nationals make their choice on what nationals really wants in a sorority, or did nationals make their choice on what DePauw really wants in a sorority?
Regardless, it was unfair to all of the women of Delta chapter. It went against our teachings and everything I thought we stood for. I was once proud to be a Delta Zeta, but I'm not sure anymore. Nationals should have placed sisterhood and values over image. Instead it chose to select a small group of women to put a pretty face on the Delta Zeta image. Congratulations, DePauw, this is what you wanted.
To my sisters: you will always be my sisters no matter what.
Christie Garrabrant '05
Being a DZ was difficult, especially during rush. Rumors spread that we were not cute, not partiers, not popular. Every year we fought to combat those stereotypes. We only pledged "cute" girls. We dressed up for class. We made sure to party at fraternities. We had meetings about our image. But it still wasn't good enough. So we decided to be ourselves, to concentrate on sisterhood.
But you, the campus, didn't bite. You believed the rumors over the reality. That's when nationals revamped the Delta Zeta image and placed 23 women on alumnae status.
Women on campus: Why did you choose not to join Delta Zeta? Was it because we were unsocial? Unfriendly? Ugly? Or was it because you were scared to not be in the popular house?
I understand nationals' decision. In order for them to contend as a popular option on DePauw's campus, a drastic change needed to be made. Look at the women who were asked to remain and those who were asked to leave; you will see how nationals made their choice.
But the question still remains: Did nationals make their choice on what nationals really wants in a sorority, or did nationals make their choice on what DePauw really wants in a sorority?
Regardless, it was unfair to all of the women of Delta chapter. It went against our teachings and everything I thought we stood for. I was once proud to be a Delta Zeta, but I'm not sure anymore. Nationals should have placed sisterhood and values over image. Instead it chose to select a small group of women to put a pretty face on the Delta Zeta image. Congratulations, DePauw, this is what you wanted.
To my sisters: you will always be my sisters no matter what.
Christie Garrabrant '05
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