In Dec. 2005, National Delta Zeta sorority representatives dismissed several of DePauw University's Delta Zeta chapter members "because the women said they did not embody what the national members wanted," Director of Media Relations Kenneth Owen said.
According to a Feb. 25 New York Times article, the 23 students released included the only overweight members, and the only black, Korean and Vietnamese members.
The members of Delta Zeta learned of their dismissal approximately one week before final exams began, "thus creating an unacceptable disruption in the academic lives of [the] students" DePauw University President Robert Bottoms said in a letter to Deborah A. Raziano, national president of Delta Zeta Sorority.
According to Owen the situation is complicated by the fact that "the sorority owns the house [the students reside in] and they take care of food and housing," lessening the regulatory measures that DePauw University can take.
Aaron Laushway, University associate dean of students and director of fraternity and sorority life, said "the criteria for membership seems superficial, if not wrong-headed."
Although DePauw University was not involved with the students' dismissals from the sorority, the school is "trying to move forward and make sure this [occurrence] does not happen again" Owen added.
-- Compiled by Ashley Woodard
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