Right to Wear Greek Letters Vindicated at UT Arlington

The SigEp Chapter at UT Arlington was put "under investigation", and was told they could not even wear their letters. After a student rights organization (FIRE) began asking embarrassing questions about the legality of such a ruling the college backed down. (BTW - the chapter was cleared of the original allegations).

Right to Wear Greek Letters Vindicated at UT Arlington - The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education - FIRE

by Peter Bonilla

Recently, FIRE intervened at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) after the Sigma Phi Epsilon (SigEp) fraternity brought to our attention what I suspect is an all-too-common punishment against fraternities and sororities: the prohibition on displaying their letters in any way while the chapter was under investigation. After FIRE brought this issue to UTA's attention, the university promised that students and student organizations at UTA enjoy the full freedoms of the First Amendment. 

Here's the background on the chain of events resulting in this unconstitutional punishment for SigEp, as we wrote in a letter to UTA President James D. Spaniolo on September 13: 

Following an off-campus party held February 4, 2012, which resulted in allegations of "hazing," UTA's Sigma Phi Epsilon ("SigEp") chapter was notified in a February 10 letter from SigEp national Chapter Services Director Josh Hodnichak that it was to "immediately cease any and all chapter activities." These activities included "new member activities, Inter-Fraternity Council events, intramural games, social events, chapter meetings, and all other chapter activities." SigEp complied with these orders. SigEp President Troy Maikowski received a similar letter, also dated February 10,from Heather L. Snow, then director of UTA's Office of Student Conduct, ordering the fraternity to "cease and desist all activity" while under investigation. Snow's letter, however, went so far as to ban "wearing of letters on campus." Snow's letter also made clear that the order covered "both on and off campus activities and include[d] formal and informal group gatherings," and warned that "[a]ny further activity that represents the Texas Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon either on or off campus during the suspension period may result in additional disciplinary action being taken."

[Link and emphases added.] 

Trinity College fraternities, sororities ordered to go coed | Inside Higher Ed

Greeks ordered to go coed. Does this effectively end national Greek organizations at Trinity college? Why or why not?
We would love to see your thoughts on this one.

Trinity College fraternities, sororities ordered to go coed | Inside Higher Ed

If women live in a fraternity, is it still a fraternity? Can a sorority house men?

Most people would probably say no. At least, not by today’s standards.

But officials at Trinity College in Connecticut aren’t thinking about today’s standards. They’re thinking about the standards of 2023. That’s why they’re requiring Greek life to go coed.

It’s part of a strategic plan to improve the sense of community and image of the college, where students tend to run in cliques, retention rates have declined slightly, and social culture has grown out of proportion to academic life, said Frederick Alford, dean of students. At the outset of the planning, the president asked officials to ponder what they wanted Trinity to look like in 2023, the year of its bicentennial.

Over the past year, a committee of trustees, administrators, faculty and students have studied Trinity’s culture through interviews and data-gathering. While some of their recommendations will affect all students – for instance, the college will start placing all incoming students into cohorts in one of six residential “houses,” where they will engage in various living/learning activities and be mentored through their second year by a dean and faculty member – the makeover of Greek life is clearly causing the biggest stir.

Greek students on campus are outraged, and alumni and family members have spoken out as well. (A Change.org petition has more than 4,000 signatures.)

Read more: http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2012/11/30/trinity-college-fraternities-sororities-ordered-go-coed#ixzz2DiaJvmHI 

UVM announces planned actions in wake of fraternity's rape survey

Now the furor has died down, and the damage done, and the chapter disbanded. NOW they tell us "The fraternity was not responsible" for the "who would you rape?" survey.
Where on campus is the office which can return the chapter's reputation?

The University of Vermont has announced a series of measures to combat sexual violence in the aftermath of a scandal surrounding the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity last year.

UVM said the fraternity itself was not responsible for a controversial survey in which members of the fraternity were reported asked whom they would like to rape. A community furor ensued, the campus chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon was closed and UVM launched an investigation.

Last semester, various recommendations were made by UVM’s Gender-based Sexual Violence Task Force and the Commission on Social Change.

Thursday, a report to the UVM community by Tom Gustafson, vice president for university relations and campus life, and Annie Stevens, associate vice president for university relations and campus life, provided an update on the investigation and those recommendations.

The university’s inquiry into the fraternity has been completed, with the conclusion that “Sig Ep as an organization” was not responsible for putting the question in the survey. Other findings surfaced, however, that could lead to sanctions against the fraternity, pending investigation.

Recommendations to be implemented include:

• Providing funding for the annual Dismantling Rape Culture Conference, which is organized by UVM’s Women’s Center.
• Sponsoring an independent review of “the UVM Greek Life community” to be conducted by outside experts, with a final report due by January.
• Providing funding for a full-time men’s educator; for a post-doctoral position focusing on issues such as sexual violence and masculinity, the position to be housed in the Women’s and Gender Studies Program; and for a full-time investigator, in the Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Office, to review all cases of discrimination, including sexual violence.
• Making a summer-reading selection for incoming students that focuses on a topic pertaining to gender issues, violence and oppression.
• Funding one-time training costs for development of a “comprehensive bystander intervention program.”
• Creating “a communication and response plan” to handle “major incidents of bias, unusual death, sexual violence, alcohol and other drugs.”

UVM announces planned actions in wake of fraternity's rape survey | Burlington Free Press | burlingtonfreepress.com:

'via Blog this'

You Can't SAY That Here!

Has this ever happened at your chapter? Or do you just not mention any possibly suspect activities to those who might take exception?

Last Wednesday I went to our local chapter's monthly AVC meeting, where I sit as VP. During the Chapter President's report he mentioned a social activity with a sorority scheduled for later in the semester. When he told us what type of event they were planning there was a collective gasp, followed by a chorus of "You can't say that!", "Call it something else!", and "Don't even breath that word in the direction of HQ!" from the alums, all of whom are familiar with the way-things-work-in-Richmond. Take note - no one suggested that the event itself was in any way out of line. We know these men and we know what they are planning is going to be fun and harmless. But the name itself has a toxic reputation. The chapter president agreed and immediately came up with another title (as opposed to another event).

We then moved on to the next items: Plans for the upcoming CLA officer training conference and reminders that applications for the RUCK Leadership Institute are due soon. Irony much?

There are two things wrong with this picture, in my view. 1) We (alumni volunteers; HQ staff) seem to have become so politically sensitive to some activities because they have been misused in the past that we cannot even entertain the idea (publicly) of doing them correctly now. 2) We are counseling our undergraduate members, who are looking to us to be mentors and to build them into leaders, that it is OK to lie about our actions. Maybe you could call it a nudge-nudge, wink-wink, but it is disingenuous prevarication nonetheless.

The more I thought about the message we sent to the undergrads the more uncomfortable I got. So here I am, talking about it. If the event concept is so bad it cannot be mentioned shouldn't we have counseled the undergrads to do something else? If the event is harmless shouldn't we have warned them that the event could be misunderstood so they need to be ready to defend their actions?

One should propose solutions, not just whine about problems. Here is what I propose - Alumni volunteers and staff: Make judgements on actions, not the words surrounding them. Be prepared to give the guidance that is needed (if possibly unwelcome) and to explain why you feel so strongly.  Undergraduates: Speak honestly about plans and intentions and be prepared to explain your actions in detail if questioned. Ask for better reasons than "HQ says no." Am I idealistic? Probably. But better that than a liar.

Oh, the activity? A Scavenger Hunt. For the entire chapter. With a sorority. Nothing of an illegal, coercive, or underhanded nature intended. No stop signs, dead animals, or compromised pledges on the list.

Now, I expect to get a call from the Chapter Pres., AVC Pres., RD, or maybe even HQ about how I should not have said anything. There may be references to "dirty laundry". Be that as it may, I want the conversation to continue here as well.

Thanks to XKCD.com for the pic

Frat inspired by Robert E. Lee bans Rebel uniforms

So much for "Old South Days"

The Virginia-based Kappa Alpha Order issued new rules to chapters earlier this year saying members aren't allowed to wear Rebel uniforms to parties or during their parades, which are a staple on campuses across the South.

There have been numerous instances in recent years of KA members being confronted and insitutions petitioned to end the practices

In the memo to chapters, Kappa Alpha's national executive director, Larry Wiese, said such displays had to end.

"In today's climate, the Order can ill afford to offend our host institutions and fend off significant negative national press and remain effective at our core mission, which is to aid young men in becoming better community leaders and citizens," Wiese wrote.

The big question: Is this being aware and sensitive to cultural diversity and historical issues, or is it political correctness taken to an absurd degree?

We ain't touchin' it, but can't wait to read the comments.

Frat inspired by Robert E. Lee bans Rebel uniforms - Yahoo! News

Court Orders UF to Recognize BYX

Appeals court: UF must recognize Christian-only frat
By Nathan Crabble Sun staff writer

The University of Florida has more than 60 officially recognized student groups that include religion as part of their missions, including groups for Christian pharmacy students and Jewish law students.

Yet the university denied a Christian fraternity, Beta Upsilon Chi, recognition on the grounds its membership policies were discriminatory.

Beta Upsilon Chi sued UF, leading an appeals court this week to require the university to recognize the fraternity as the case was being decided.

"All we're trying to do is get a group of guys who share a common bond in Jesus Christ together," said Damion Dam, a 20-year-old UF finance/pre-med major and fraternity president. "I really don't see why we weren't recognized in the first place."

University officials say there's a major distinction between Beta Upsilon Chi, or BYX, and other religious groups on campus. BYX requires members to be Christians, while other student groups are open to non-believers.

"The University of Florida welcomes all kinds of student groups including those with a religious focus," said Janine Sikes, UF spokeswoman. "(But) if someone who is a non-Christian wants to join, they should be able to."

BYX, pronounced Bucks, is the largest Christian fraternity in the U.S. Since being formed at the University of Texas in 1985, it has expanded to 20 other campuses.

The University of Georgia chapter was allowed as student groups under threat of legal action, but UF was the first to force the issue to court.

The U.S. Constitution requires universities to recognize religious groups, said Isaac Fong, an attorney for the Christian Legal Society's Center for Law & Religious Freedom who represented BYX.

"What we're arguing here is the First Amendment protects the right of students to form a group around a set of shared principles," he said.

Religious groups at UF walk a tightrope between specialization and discrimination. The Christian Veterinary Fellowship, which conducts mission work in other countries, is an example of an officially recognized group with a religious focus.

"That doesn't mean that we ask everyone who comes to our meetings whether they're Christian or not," said Michelle Bellville, a fourth-year vet student and group president. "We're open to everyone."

But she said members are likely to be Christians or searching for religion.
She cited the case of an undergraduate who came to a meeting to hear a speech and soon converted to Christianity.

As a recognized student organization, the group can use UF facilities and receive funding from student government. BYX's lawsuit claims that the university, by withholding those privileges from the frat, violated Constitutional rights to free exercise of religion, freedom of association and freedom of speech.

According to the suit, filed in the U.S. District Court in Gainesville, UF initially denied recognition of the group on the basis that they limit membership to men. Dam said the fraternity found a sister group to address that issue, but was told its policy to admit only Christians posed another roadblock.

UF requires student groups to comply with nondiscrimination laws and not discriminate of the basis of race, religion, sex and other personal characteristics.

The district court ruled against an injunction that would require UF to recognize the fraternity while the case was being decided. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the decision, allowing recognition until a final ruling is made.

Brett Williams, national board member of BYX, said the order has wider implications.
"It has repercussions for all other religious groups who desire to assemble on university campuses," he said.

Sikes said UF will now allow BYX to start the process of being recognized as a student group, but it was uncertain whether the order had wider implications.

Dam said the fraternity's dozen members will start chapter business such as arranging for campus meeting space, even though the case is still pending.

"If anything does change, we still had this time when we were on campus," he said.

Paper: Skit featured student playing Obama in blackface

CNN reports that a student at North Dakota State U. appeared in blackface as Barack Obama during a sorority(Alpha Gamma Delta) sponsored "Mr. NDSU" skit presentation. Horrors! Call the PC police! (Does it matter that NDSU is 92% white so that might be the only way to have a portrayal of "a man of color"?)

North Dakota State University is investigating complaints about a campus skit in which a white student in blackface portrayed Barack Obama receiving a lap dance.

The same skit, part of a charity fundraiser held at a campus theater, also featured a depiction of cowboys having sex with each other, witnesses told The Forum newspaper, which first reported the backlash Friday.

"We're trying to find out the right approaches for accountability, but at the same time try to heal wounds that have occurred and allow the campus to move ahead," Janna Stoskopf, NDSU's dean of students, told The Associated Press on Friday.

In fact, the description of the skit makes it sound offensive on a number of levels. But one wonders what, precisely, is the reason it rises to the level of national attention?

Paper: Skit featured student playing Obama in blackface - CNN.com

Further: A link to the original student newspaper article. CNN did not see fit to include that link in their story.

SigEp stirs trouble at the Supreme Court

Sam Arora, a Georgetown Law student and member of the "SigEp Feds", was waiting to get into the Supreme court building when he was accosted by the police.

I'm #2 in line for the SCOTUS 11 AM argument. A policewoman standing at front told me I wasn't allowed to wear my Hillary button "on the plaza." She said it was rules.

I asked if she was sure, because I'm just standing here in our single file line with my friends. She said wearing a button was "demonstrating," and I had to take it off.

Yeah, but if it had been an Obama button Sam would be on his way to the "Rendition Raddison" by now.

Abovethelaw.com

T-shirts Tell Much About You

Delta Chi T-shirt offends parts of Miami U. greek community
By Laura Bryant

A slogan written on Delta Chi fraternity's rush T-shirts this semester has caused some controversy within the greek community at Miami University.

"(The meaning of the slogan) is to be left up to the person reading the shirt," said Anthony DePina, president of the Delta Chi chapter at Miami.

"No one over 150 after 1:50" was printed on the backside of the Delta Chi rush shirts.

The slogan has been interpreted by some on Miami's campus to mean "No girl over 150 pounds after 1:50 a.m."

According to DePina, the rush shirt was only worn by brothers from the Delta Chi house.

"Usually rush shirts just have phrases on them that guys will remember in association with the name," DePina said.

The Interfraternity Council (IFC) met with Delta Chi Monday to discuss repercussions from the shirt slogan.

"Delta Chi would first of all sign a contract ensuring IFC that they would not be wearing the shirt anymore in public or in view of anyone," said Michael Simon, vice president of public relations for the IFC. "Secondly, they are writing a letter of apology to (the) Panhellenic (Association) as well as all sororities on campus and the Women's Center."

Delta Chi will also be working with student ambassadors from the Women's Center on issues of programming, Simon said.

"(Delta Chi) will be in full compliance and are very apologetic," Simon said.

Claire Dickerson, vice president of public relations for the Panhellenic Association at Miami, said the Panhellenic community has been working to build confidence in women and is discouraged by the slogan on the shirt.

"We feel that wearing this shirt undermines the message of self-acceptance we hope to cultivate in all our chapter members and forces women to unfairly question their body image," Dickerson said, via e-mail. "The Panhellenic community is working hard to instill confidence in women and celebrate the beauty of being a woman, independent from the number she sees on the scale. We are disturbed that a Greek chapter would work against our goal of self-acceptance and inner beauty."According to Rebecca Bailey; president of the Kappa Delta chapter at Miami, a sorority that worked on a philanthropy with Delta Chi for the first time last year; at least 90 percent of the members of Kappa Delta signed a petition asking Delta Chi to no longer wear the shirt and stating some form of proper action was needed in response.

"We decided not to invite Delta Chi to help us with the philanthropy ... before their shirts came out, but once I learned about the shirts it definitely reinforced the decision not to help us," Bailey said.

According to Dickerson, sororities have been given the opportunity to sign a letter to voice how they feel about the message of the shirts.

"The Panhellenic Standards Board is working on a collective response to the shirts by bringing the Panhellenic community together to voice the community's opinion," Dickerson said via e-mail. "We offered women in our chapters the opportunity to sign a letter explaining discomfort and disappointment in the message of the shirts. We hope this will explain our frustration with these recruitment T-shirts and work as a mechanism for women who feel marginalized or insulted to voice their opinion."

Gamma Phi Beta has signed a petition concerning the shirts, according to Katherine Ruhl, president of the Miami chapter.

"We previously thought really highly of Delta Chi ... we were just really shocked they would have a shirt that had such an offensive slogan on it," Ruhl said.

According to Ruhl, Gamma Phi Beta is more concerned with how the shirts reflect on the Greek community.

"The greek community has been working really hard on being an all inclusive environment," she said. "I think that the shirt is offensive to a lot of people and just reflects poorly on the Greek community as a whole."

Ruhl said she does recognize that not all members of Delta Chi were in favor of the shirts.

"The actions of a few people have consequences for a lot of people," Ruhl said. "I have no doubt that this wasn't a decision made by the whole of Delta Chi. Things like this don't reflect the views of everyone in their chapter."

DePina has asked the members of Delta Chi to no longer wear the shirts.
(C) 2007 The Miami Student

Georgetown Sig Ep Explores Diversity

Where is the love, exactly?
Taylor Barnett

Love: It’s a fascinating, mysterious four-letter word that is life’s greatest complexity. We all pursue it, yet we are constantly bombarded by images that depict a world full of strife and discord. We don’t even have to look far beyond the Healy gates to see such hate, as we did with last month’s hate crime. So I ask myself, “Where exactly is this love?”

I see it in many ways here at Georgetown. I see it with those rallying for social justice in Red Square, with my friends who stand with me through the thick and thin. I see this love with my professors, who as mentors and friends are genuinely interested in my well-being. And I see it too with my brothers of SigEp. While one might wrongly think that I, a Southern, liberal, gay foreign-language geek, have no place in a fraternity, I have found a sense of belonging amongst my brothers that I never knew existed. They, like other genuine people, show the utmost form of love by looking beyond my background and beliefs and appreciating me for my whole person, a man of sound mind and sound body, a leader, a gentleman, a best friend, a brother.

Nevertheless, as an openly gay male in the South, I have experienced hate first-hand as I ran for my life being chased by a guy with a baseball bat, as I cringed at guys calling me “faggot” and “queer” and reciting Leviticus, as I grieved when a friend accused me of sexual harassment and spearheaded a petition to get me expelled from high school and as I took this all to heart and attempted suicide. I look back now and I think to myself: “So, are they right? Am I going to hell after all?” I doubt it, but I haven’t the power to be certain. But I’m not worried, for whether I am to be saved or condemned, I realize that I have this life to live right now, and I shall not waste it in fear and grief. I choose to live and share this life with others based on this principle of pure, unwavering love for my friends, my brothers, my community and myself.

Last month’s hate crime was atrocious, and such violence doesn’t belong here or anywhere else. And as we saw by the colossal turnout at last week’s rally, even in a world full of strife and discord, we recognize, in accordance with Jesuit ideals instilled in all of us, the importance of not only acceptance but also celebration of and love for diversity in our community. I speak of agape, a genuine and human love for our fellow brothers and sisters, and it’s here at Georgetown that I understand exactly what that means.

This brings me to Coming Out Week. For me, the spirit of it encompasses far more than sexual orientation. It’s about how we think of ourselves, how we construct an identity and how we share ourselves with the world. But first we must overcome one thing: fear. The fear of being different, of appearing weak or wrong, of what we fail to understand and even of what we may discover about ourselves. I choose not to see myself solely as male, nor as gay, nor as white, nor as American but simply as human. We must look beyond this bullet-point evaluation and recognize the individual as simply that, an individual. Be we women or men, foreign or native, Republicans or Democrats, gay or straight, rich or poor, Catholics or Protestants, Jewish or Muslim, or even none of the above, we must understand and be proud of what we believe and who we are. We must overcome fear in order to share ourselves and our gifts with others, as it is everyone’s duty to educate others in his or her unique individuality. Life is too short and the price too high to watch our years go by in silence and quiet desperation.

Love. It is the best thing I have ever felt. It is the greatest truth I have ever known. It is what makes me whole, what makes me human and what makes my life complete and worth living. To know that we love and are loved is the most wonderful thing we can ever experience. And I never forget that even in hard times I always can find faith, hope, belonging and understanding in love.

Where is the love, exactly?

ACLU Helps Radford University Greeks

Even in the middle of a Conclave the world doesn't stop. We picked up this disturbing piece of news from Fratastic. It seems that the city council has decreed that fraternities and sororities can't put their letters on their houses unless it is a "special occasion" such as rush or homecoming. Now the ACLU is getting involved.

The American Civil Liberties Union is threatening to sue the city if a section of the zoning ordinance passed by Radford City Council in May is not repealed.

The section states that Greek letters, banners and signs are only to be displayed during special events, which are “limited to Radford University Homecoming, Rush and Greek Week.” The location, size and type of sign must be approved by Radford University’s Office of Student Affairs and the city’s zoning administrator.

THat is really just not right. How on earth can a display of the organization that is a major part of your college experience be so darn bad? C'mon people, lighten up!

ACLU Helps Radford University Greeks

UW Calendar Gets More Attention

UW pinup honcho has it covered
By Nicole Brodeur
Seattle Times staff columnist

The Balanced Man of Sigma Phi Epsilon, we're told, has a taste for life's simple pleasures.

The ballet. The ability to prepare and present a meal. The dignity of a clean room. When it comes to a woman, the Balanced Man — as the University of Washington fraternity brothers refer to themselves — knows to open a door for her, walk behind her, even order for her in a restaurant.

And if that woman wants to slip on a bikini and a coy smile and pose for a calendar called "Women of UW"?

Well, the Balanced Man is cool with that. He'll even arrange for the photos, publish and sell it as a class project.

And when University Book Store officials pull the calendar off the shelves, as they did this week after some complaints, the Balanced Man will respond clearly and calmly.

"Well, we obviously don't agree with the comments that our calendar objectifies women," said Zachary Meissner, a member of Sigma Phi [Epsilon] and one of four students who developed and marketed the calendar.

(Actually, the bookstore boss said, it pulled the calendar because of improper references to the UW Business School. He said allegations of censorship are "deplorable.")

Two of Meissner's team members are women. The other is his fraternity brother and fellow Balanced Man, Jonathan Cat.

I had to ask: Didn't the sexy calendar go against the principles of the Balanced Man?

"The first thing a Balanced Man is taught is to respect women, to be gentlemanly and to see them as counterparts," Cat answered.

I'll accept that. Just as I'll accept their contention that the models weren't objectified.

The women posed willingly. They weren't plied with Jell-O shots at some Caribbean-theme bar and coaxed into stripping in an Aurora Avenue motel.

"Most certainly the women were treated well," Cat said. A few of the models are from his circle of friends.

And who can get angry when one woman's mother found the calendar brag-worthy, and bought 10 copies?

Now that it has been pulled from the University Book Store, the calendar will be sold for $15 at www.womenofuw.com and the two Dawg Den stores in the U District.

The UW chapter of Sigma Phi [Epsilon] has received national attention for the Balanced Man program since the national organization instituted it in 2004. At the time, the UW chapter was at risk of shutting down. Boozy parties and other indiscretions had 90 percent of the members leave UW or get kicked out.

Seven members stayed and turned the house around with etiquette classes, cultural outings and weekly cleanings.

"Spit-spot," was how Meissner described it. Just like Mary Poppins.

Now, the Balanced Man can add "crisis management" to his skill set.

"That's for sure," Cat said. "This whole debacle is less about the calendar than the situation."

It has been important, he said, to respond to criticism "in the right way that isn't defensive or degrading."

"That," he said, "is how a Balanced Man is different than someone else."
Great. Now put something on.

U Washington's Calendar Sparks Debate

(And wouldn't you know, there's a Sig Ep connection!)

"Women of UW" calendar pulled
By Nick Perry
Seattle Times education reporter

Jeatt Walker, a University of Washington math student and aspiring model, thought she'd gotten her big break when she was named cover girl on the "Women of UW" calendar dreamed up by a group of business students.

But when Walker's proud mom went to the University Book Store last week to buy copies, she was turned away. The calendar had been pulled from the shelves.

Bookstore Chief Executive Bryan Pearce declined comment Tuesday night on what caused the about-face after the store earlier bought nearly 300 copies.

Part of the reason may lie in an e-mail campaign started by some students who say the calendar objectifies women.

The whole episode has yielded some surprising lessons about business and about life for the five students who produced the work for their entrepreneurship class.

Information

About the calendar: www.womenofuw.com

"I never would have guessed any of this going into it," said junior Zach Meissner, who began as the group's financial manager — and turned into its crisis manager.

Meissner said the students intended to produce "his and hers" calendars. But despite an eager group of males willing to pose, their market research showed consumers generally sought to buy only the female version.

About 30 women applied to pose, plus some friends were enlisted, Meissner said. The calendar features 13 of them; one month shows twins.

The shots are tame compared to many publications, Meissner said.

"We wanted to show beautiful women who were very successful with what they are doing at the UW," he said.

Walker, 20, said she had no doubts about signing up.

"When I first heard about it, I thought 'This is so rad. This is my chance to get connected to the school,' " she said.

"It was classy enough that I was not embarrassed to show it to my family. It was the first big thing I've been in."

She said the calendar "displayed a really good fact that women can be smart and beautiful. The UW is full of really powerful women."

But other students weren't so taken.

"As I flipped through its pages, I became increasingly upset at its blatant objectification of UW students," some wrote in an open letter to UW President Mark Emmert.

"More importantly, I was horrified at the prominent display of the University of Washington's name and trademark logos spread across the pages of the calendar, providing the background for female students posing in provocative outfits against campus settings."

Meissner said that in all, 1,500 calendars were produced, which the team of students is selling for $15 each.

So far, about 200 copies have sold, not counting the nearly 300 disputed copies purchased by the bookstore.

Meissner said that because the calendars begin with the month of September, he expects demand to pick up in late summer.

It's not the first time Meissner has turned up in the news. In December 2005, Meissner appeared on two national television morning shows — ABC's "Good Morning America" and NBC's "Today" — as president of the UW's Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity to discuss its embrace of the national fraternity's new "Balanced Man" program.

The program emphasizes clean fun, community service, strong academic performance and good etiquette. The frat discouraged a bawdy lifestyle.

Former Duke Players Cleared of All Charges - New York Times

This is not exactly a fraternity story, but is fairly close. At least in the kind of responses it raised when it was first reported.

The Duke lacrosse team players who were accused of rape, 'sexual offenses', and kidnapping have been cleared of all charges. The state attorney general concluded there was no evidence to proceed with a case.

An independent investigation “showed clearly that there is insufficient evidence to proceed,” Roy A. Cooper, the state attorney general, said at a televised news conference. “ We believe these individuals are innocent.”

He said the accounts of the events given by the woman who made the accusations were so inconsistent that they were not credible. “She contradicts herself,” Mr. Cooper said.

The decision brings to an end a 13-month ordeal for the young men, two of whom were dismissed from Duke because of the charges.

David F. Evans, 24, of Annapolis, Md.; Reade W. Seligmann, 21, of Essex Falls, N.J., and Collin Finnerty, 20, of Garden City, N.Y., were initially charged with rape, sexual offense and kidnapping. One of two women hired to strip at the lacrosse team’s spring break party in March 2006 accused them of raping and assaulting her in a bathroom of an off-campus house.

The rape charges were dropped in December, after the woman changed a key detail in the case, saying she could not be sure what had penetrated her when she said she was gang-raped. The woman changed her story after DNA tests showed no traces of DNA from any of the three defendants or any other Duke lacrosse player on her body or clothes, while traces of other male DNA were present.

The case touched nerves of race, sex and privilege, both nationally and in Durham, because the accuser was a poor, black local woman and the students were relatively affluent, white out-of-staters. It also tapped into a debate about the off-the-field behavior of college athletes and the proper role of big-money sports on America’s university campuses.

There is lots more in the linked New York Times article, including a local prosecutor who was trying to win an election off the case, Political correctness gone completely off the rails, "poor black girl" vs. "rich white boys", bungled investigations, a "victim" who could not seem to tell the same story twice in a row, and a complete lack of forensic evidence. This tale has "TV Movie" written all over it.

As former Secretary of Labor Ray Donovan might say, "where do they go to get their reputations back?"

Too bad Don Imus has been gagged. I bet he would have some interesting comments.

Former Duke Players Cleared of All Charges - New York Times