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

[swan-tower.livejournal.com]

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