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After Harvard University issued an ultimatum to single-gender student groups on campus to either become co-ed or face certain penalties around two years ago, one Harvard sorority recently became the first student organization to shut down in response.
What happened?
According to The Washington Post, Harvard University ordered the ultimatum around two years ago. If a group does not become co-ed, it would forfeit members’ opportunities to hold leadership positions on campus, as well as risking members’ chances to win the university’s endorsement for prestigious postgraduate fellowships.
Last week, however, one group on campus, the Zeta Phi-Cambridge Area chapter of the national Delta Gamma organization, chose a third option: to essentially disband. The choice was originally made back in May and was determined by a vote from the local chapter’s members, pending a 60-day comment period.
According to The Harvard Crimson, Wilma Johnson Wilbanks, Delta Gamma’s national president, issued the following statement concerning the news:
“The decision does not mean that we are succumbing to the university’s new sanctions and policies regarding participation in unrecognized single-gender organizations like ours.”
“We will continue to champion our right to exist on campuses everywhere. We believe the value of sorority is too great.”
“It is our sincere hope to return to the Cambridge Area should conditions for single-gender organizations improve.”
At this time, Margaret Wilson, the president of Harvard’s Delta Gamma chapter, has not released a statement concerning the move.
The sanctions appear to be an ongoing issue for the school
The sanctions are believed to be a response to a university report on sexual assault prevention concerning all-male final clubs and “deeply misogynistic attitudes.” According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, Harvard faces three open investigations into its compliance with Title IX, which concerns gender discrimination in schools receiving public funds.
The sanctions came into place in fall 2017, applying to all single-gender organizations, not just male ones. At the time of the announcement, two formerly all-male club already voted to accept women. Some of the final clubs have show resistance, however. According to the Harvard Crimson, to engage a law firm pursuing lobbying efforts on their behalf. Their plans also concerns the PROSPER Act, a bill which could potentially endanger federal research funding if Harvard goes through with the penalties.
