Fraternity Lawsuits against Colgate University
Free Association for Everyone but DKE
Stalinist Russia and the Nanny-state in Hamilton
Coercive Land Grab Portends End of Greek Life
Colgate Views Involved Parents as a Problem
Practical Advice for Fraternities In Free Speech Battles on Campus
Expectations for Fraternity and Sorority members
Minutes for the
meeting between
DKE undergraduates and the Deans' Office
8 September 2005
5:22pm -5:55pm
Ho Lecture Room
Meeting led by: Kelly Opipari, Sue Smith, and Jennifer Adams
Purpose: To discuss the status of Delta Kappa Epsilon as an unrecognized fraternity at Colgate. Discussion included what an unrecognized fraternity can and can not do on campus. Suggestions for future conduct of members of the DKE fraternity and organization were also offered by those whole led the meeting.
Minutes Summary:
• DKE is not a recognized fraternity
• DKE is not allowed to perpetuate the organization. If the members of DKE are engaging in group activities, they should not include freshman or sophomore males.
• No freshman or sophomores should be present at social events unless they have already joined another organization.
• What constitutes recruiting freshman or sophomore males?
- Any action that may be interpreted as recruitment.
- If freshman or sophomore feels like they are being recruited.
- If freshman or sophomore males are hanging out with a group of DKE brothers, could be interpreted as recruitment.
• What if a freshman or sophomore guy thinks he is being recruited when he is not? What if another person assumes or thinks we are recruiting when we are not? How can we deal with this situation?
- Suggest not interacting with freshman or sophomore males.
- Should be able to defend yourselves if questioned and know in your heart that you are not perpetuating the organization.
- Put yourself in a position where people won’t think you are recruiting.
• So does this mean we cannot hang out with freshman or sophomore guys even when they are our friends because we are going to get in trouble?
- It is just a suggestion – you will not get in trouble just for hanging out with freshman or sophomore guys.
• What constitutes a DKE group event?
- If a majority of DKE members are present, an event will be considered a DKE event.
• What if an event is interpreted as being a DKE event, but at no time was the event advertised or announced as a DKE event?
- We are not going to make those associations just because someone else says an event is a DKE function (i.e. Hurricane Katrina party to raise money for hurricane victims, hosted by the people living at 96 Gate – assumed a DKE party though it was never announced or advertised as one.)
• Can we hold meetings as former members of DKE?
- Yes – can meet and discuss anything but recruitment.
• Could we hold our meeting on campus?
- Cannot reserve space on campus as an unrecognized organization.
• Can we have parties with girls and just us (former members of DKE)?
- Yes – just do not have any insurance as an unrecognized organization, so if there were a problem or accident, there could be major problems or issues to deal with.
• If former members of DKE were to host a party at a private home, would it be beneficial to tell you about it so that it is not misinterpreted as a DKE function just because we are hosting the party?
- Yes – that would be very helpful. Also, as students living off-campus who are not part of an organization, could use Party Smart program, led by Kim Russell. Through program can receive funding and a noise permit to host a successful party, and also are instructed on how to host a safe party. If deemed successful, may continue to use in the future.