Telling Yale to do the right thing

[wshaffer]

rimrunner tipped me off to this rather mindboggling news piece about fraternity rush activities on the Yale campus that included chants about rape and necrophilia: http://www.yaledailynews.com/news/2010/oct/14/yale-frat-antics-spark-controversy/

While I don't remember anything like this happening while I was an undergrad at Yale, it wouldn't have entirely surprised me if it had. Delta Kappa Epsilon certainly had an unsavory reputation.

What does surprise me is the tepid response of the university administration so far. So I just sent the following email to Yale President Richard Levin (presidents.office@yale.edu) and Dean Mary Miller (mary.miller@yale.edu).

I was disturbed to read new of misogynistic chants used as part of rush activities by the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity on the Yale campus. (http://www.yaledailynews.com/news/2010/oct/14/yale-frat-antics-spark-controversy/)

I urge you to take disciplinary action against the fraternity, and particularly against those members responsible for coordinating rush activities. While I'm glad that the fraternity has swiftly apologized, this is not the first time DKE has used such chants. Yale needs to demonstrate that there are consequences for organizations that engage in behavior that creates a hostile environment for women on campus.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Wendy A. Shaffer
Yale Class of 1996

I would encourage other Yalies reading this to let Levin and Miller know what you think about this.

Comments

[brewsternorth.livejournal.com]

O: Gah, that is scary. ontd_feminism just posted about it too; I've commented to include the emails of the President and Dean so any ontd_f members who are Yalies can also put in their two cents' worth.

[wshaffer.livejournal.com]

Thanks for spreading the word. I'm a bit discouraged that the administration even needs it pointed out to them that this is Not Okay, but I am hopeful that if enough alums complain, they'll do something.

[swan-tower.livejournal.com]

It's a pity that me complaining probably wouldn't do any good.

[kate-schaefer.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the addresses. I've sent my complaint:

Like many other Yale alumni, I was saddened by reports of DKE pledges chanting, "No means yes, yes means anal!" Yale was an unpleasant place for me as a woman in the seventies. I had hoped that the atmosphere had improved in the intervening years, and I am disappointed to learn that this is not the case.

I've searched for words to express what I hope Yale will do in response to this, and I find that I have no particular hope after all. I'd like to have some hope that the University would work toward civilizing the uncivil on campus.

Sincerely,
Kate Schaefer
Class of 1977