Editorial | The case for sororities

The recent behavior of the Delta Zeta sorority's national organization has spurred a nationwide debate about the culture of sororities today.

According to a Feb. 25 article in The New York Times, 23 members of the Delta Zeta sorority at DePauw University were asked to vacate their sorority house after members of the national organization came to investigate the reason for membership decline.

The issue blew up when the women realized that the 23 included all overweight and minority members. The national organization has said that it was strictly because of these women's "commitment," but the 12 remaining - six of whom quit in protest - were "conventionally pretty," the article stated.

The events at DePauw were deplorable, and raise legitimate concerns about the role that national organizations play in determining the character of campus chapters. But the overly generalized suspicion of sororities that the national Delta Zeta organization has caused is unfortunate.

Any Penn student who has ever walked down Locust Walk knows that sororities are about more than the appearance of their members. From their community service and social events to their fostering of friendship and community, sororities help build a positive environment for women on campus.

It is true that parts of the rush process are subjective and difficult to regulate, but this should not overshadow their positive contributions.

Penn's PanHellenic leaders have an opportunity to counter the negative image of sororities produced by these recent events. Making a public statement condemning the events at DePauw and reaffirming the commitment sororities at Penn have to making all women feel welcome in the Greek community would help the Penn community understand that the actions of a few do not represent all.

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