By
The national Delta Zeta sorority creed reads that members should offer “understanding and appreciation” to fellow sisters, but what some have labeled a discriminatory dumping at the DePauw University chapter of the sorority has garnered national media attention.
The Greek organization that boasts more than 180,000 alumnae is accused of kicking out overweight and minority students from the Indiana chapter.
Facing dwindling membership and a reputation on DePauw’s campus as the “dog house,” national leadership of Delta Zeta is accused of carrying out the expulsions.
In fall 2006, national Delta Zeta headquarters sent letters to 23 DePauw sisters that recommended them for alumna status and “to relocate from the chapter house.”
“First I laughed and then I cried,” DePauw senior Kendall Crager said to People Magazine of her reaction to the letter. “I felt like they didn’t like me for me.”
The New York Times reported that the chapter evicted its black, Korean and Vietnamese students, as well as overweight members.
The national Delta Zeta sorority declined to address any questions related to the DePauw incident, but did publish a statement on its Web site regarding the alleged incidents.
According to press materials from the national sorority office, members who were asked to convert to “alumnae” status were asked to do so as part of a reorganization effort. Delta Zeta national representatives stated they were concerned about the success of the chapter, and the move was an effort to help ensure its vitality on the DePauw campus.
Cindy Menges, Delta Zeta’s executive director, said reports like the one from the New York Times mischaracterized the sorority, but admitted the situation could have been handled differently.
The Cardinal attempted to contact local chapter representatives regarding the issue, but leaders with the U of L chapter deferred comment to the national office.
No instances of such alleged discrimination within the sorority have been reported at U of L.
