Spring Break
Admin orders ZBT to stop using 'Brandeis' in name
by Anya Bergman
News | 10/9/07
Posted online at 9:29 PM EST on 10/8/07
/ Last updated at 7:57 PM EST on 10/8/07
The University's general counsel informed the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity last week that it will be disciplined if it doesn't cease using the Brandeis name, Dean of Student Life Rick Sawyer said.
ZBT has been using the Brandeis name on its Web site for more than a year, Robert Geiman '08, the fraternity's president, said. Geiman said he received a letter signed by Associate Counsel Member Steven Locke demanding that ZBT take Brandeis' name off the Web site's front page. According to Geiman, the letter cited appendix C section 5.4 of the Rights and Responsibilities handbook in determining that the fraternity can't use the name because ZBT, like any other fraternity at Brandeis, isn't recognized by the University.
The portion of the handbook described in the letter, however, actually has to do with alcohol consumption, not the recognition of fraternities, Geiman said. Fraternity recognition regulations are actually described in appendix B of the handbook.
The Brandeis chapter of ZBT students was founded in 1987, according to the fraternity's Web site. The fraternity is recognized by the national ZBT organization, Geiman said.
The Board of Trustees voted in 1988 not to affiliate the University with sororities and fraternities.
The letter was a "boilerplate letter," or a form letter, with wording implying that the fraternity should cease to use Brandeis' name, and if they don't, action can be taken, Sawyer said. He explained that because generations of students come and go, the letter serves as a reminder to unaware students that it is "inappropriate and improper to use [the University's] name."
Letters of this nature have been sent to ZBT periodically in the past, and the fraternity has been very cooperative with the requests, Sawyer said. He explained that ZBT is not a Brandeis entity or affiliated with the University, and that the general counsel is responsible for the University's name.
Sawyer said the naming issue was brought to the administration's attention because of an invitation the fraternity sent to administrators for the fraternity's rechartering ceremony that was held last Wednesday.
ZBT has been using the Brandeis name on its Web site for more than a year, Robert Geiman '08, the fraternity's president, said. Geiman said he received a letter signed by Associate Counsel Member Steven Locke demanding that ZBT take Brandeis' name off the Web site's front page. According to Geiman, the letter cited appendix C section 5.4 of the Rights and Responsibilities handbook in determining that the fraternity can't use the name because ZBT, like any other fraternity at Brandeis, isn't recognized by the University.
The portion of the handbook described in the letter, however, actually has to do with alcohol consumption, not the recognition of fraternities, Geiman said. Fraternity recognition regulations are actually described in appendix B of the handbook.
The Brandeis chapter of ZBT students was founded in 1987, according to the fraternity's Web site. The fraternity is recognized by the national ZBT organization, Geiman said.
The Board of Trustees voted in 1988 not to affiliate the University with sororities and fraternities.
The letter was a "boilerplate letter," or a form letter, with wording implying that the fraternity should cease to use Brandeis' name, and if they don't, action can be taken, Sawyer said. He explained that because generations of students come and go, the letter serves as a reminder to unaware students that it is "inappropriate and improper to use [the University's] name."
Letters of this nature have been sent to ZBT periodically in the past, and the fraternity has been very cooperative with the requests, Sawyer said. He explained that ZBT is not a Brandeis entity or affiliated with the University, and that the general counsel is responsible for the University's name.
Sawyer said the naming issue was brought to the administration's attention because of an invitation the fraternity sent to administrators for the fraternity's rechartering ceremony that was held last Wednesday.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 49
Anon
posted 10/09/07 @ 9:40 AM EST
As a Brandeis & ZBT Alum, this universities continues hostilities towards fraternities and sororities offends me. Joining ZBT was the one thing that made me enjoy the Brandeis social scene, and the fact that Brandeis is so hostile towards ZBT continues to be the reason that I hold back monetary donations to the university. (Continued…)
Anita
posted 10/09/07 @ 10:23 AM EST
The University ban exists for a reason. Brandeis is not simply a great learning institution, but one striving to maintain a sense of integrity. That integrity includes the banning of exclusive organizations which pick and choose their members. (Continued…)
Josh Golub
posted 10/09/07 @ 2:11 PM EST
Anita, thank you for illustrating the ignorance that is so prevalent at Brandeis both among the faculty and the student body. There are many exclusive clubs on campus. (Continued…)
Elliott Flah
posted 10/09/07 @ 3:49 PM EST
One highly cognizant comment that Anita made was the ideals upon which the university was founded: that of refusing to abide by discrimination based upon creed, color, religion, or heritage. (Continued…)
Seth
posted 10/09/07 @ 5:39 PM EST
I sympathize for you, Anita. You must have had a traumatizing experience related to Brandeis Greek life for you to have such a passionate and misconstrued view. (Continued…)
Matthew Rosen
posted 10/09/07 @ 5:45 PM EST
Anita's comments are, yes, offensive to what has become a thriving greek community. But lets put it in prospective. Brandeis is a business, a product that you pay for. (Continued…)
Dan Rueven
posted 10/09/07 @ 6:04 PM EST
I disagree 100% with the post by this nefarious "Anita". If you are an Aulmnus and do not currently attend Brandeis, then you have no idea of the current social climate at the university. (Continued…)
Jonathan Coleman
posted 10/09/07 @ 8:53 PM EST
Anita, though it has already been stated many times over, I will say it again: your gross generalization is not only wrong, but it is reclessly offensive. (Continued…)
Adam
posted 10/09/07 @ 9:55 PM EST
it is very unfortunate that Anita can abuse her freedom of speech with explicitly biased and inaccurate revilement in an attmept to defame the Greek community
if the pursuit of truth was so important to you Anita, you would have gotten your facts straight before you posted this libel. (Continued…)
Anonymous
posted 10/09/07 @ 11:27 PM EST
To whom it may concern:
For those of you who don't know, all it takes to join a Greek organization at Brandeis is attending a couple of fun, informative rush events (sans alcohol), and writing your name on a list. (Continued…)
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