Sororities
Sanctions Lawsuit Will Proceed in Federal Court, Judge Rules
A judge ruled earlier this month that the federal lawsuit alleging the College’s social group sanctions are discriminatory will be moving forward with a subset of the original plaintiffs.
In Final Legal Push, Harvard Defends Motions to Dismiss Sanctions Complaints
Harvard filed documents Friday defending its motions to dismiss state and federal lawsuits alleging the College’s policies on single-gender social organizations are discriminatory.
Dean of Students Lauds Gender-Neutral Social Club Recruitment
Dean of Students Katherine G. O’Dair said in a Tuesday interview that College administrators are “encouraged” by “strong student interest” in social organizations that recently adopted gender-neutral membership policies in accordance with College regulations.
Harvard Argues Suits Challenging Social Group Sanctions Should Be Dismissed
Lawyers for Harvard argued that state and federal judges should dismiss a pair of ongoing lawsuits alleging the College’s social group sanctions are discriminatory Friday evening.
Federal Judge Will Deny Student Plaintiffs Anonymity If Sanctions Lawsuit Proceeds
Three unidentified College students who are suing Harvard over its social group sanctions in federal court will not be allowed to remain anonymous if the case proceeds beyond a motion to dismiss, a federal judge ruled Friday.
Exempt from Harvard’s Sanctions, Four Former Sororities Hold Joint Recruitment
Touting their exemption from the College’s sanctions against single-gender social organizations, four former sororities have partnered to sponsor a joint recruitment process for new members during the spring semester.
Harvard Objects to Protective Order for Anonymous Students in Sanctions Lawsuit
Harvard is arguing that plaintiffs in the federal lawsuit opposing the College’s social group sanctions are “premature” in requesting an order to protect anonymous undergraduates’ identities from public disclosure, according to a Monday court filing.
Greek Groups Are Suing Harvard Over Its Sanctions. Here’s What Happens Next.
Experts and lawyers say a pair of lawsuits challenging Harvard’s sanctions could prompt a protracted — and pricey — legal battle in the months or years ahead.
Asked About Sanctions Suits, Khurana Prefers Statements Over Direct Answers
Asked about the sanctions lawsuits in an interview Friday, Khurana at least five times repeated almost verbatim parts of a previous statement issued by Harvard spokesperson Rachael Dane.
'Plowing New Ground’: Experts Say Harvard Sanctions Suits Employ Unusual Legal Arguments
The pair of lawsuits challenging Harvard’s sanctions rely on unusual and in some cases far-fetched legal arguments — but it is too early to know whether the complaints will be successful, experts say.
Alpha Phi Returns to Campus, Joins Lawsuit Opposing Sanctions
Harvard’s chapter of sorority Alpha Phi — which shuttered in response to the College’s sanctions — is back in business and joining a lawsuit against Harvard.
Social Groups Sue Harvard Over Sanctions
A group of fraternities, sororities, and students is suing Harvard over its social group sanctions, alleging the penalties are discriminatory, coercive, and unconstitutional.
David A. Russcol
David A. Russcol, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs in the state suit, hand-delivered the complaint to the Suffolk County Superior Court Monday.
Female-Focused Undergraduate Group Muse Launches on Campus
The Muse, a new female-focused undergraduate group, is looking to fill in “a lack of female supportive environments” at Harvard by offering self-growth and social programming for female-identifying College students.
‘Cultural’ Fraternities and Sororities Offer Harvard Students Chance at Sanctions-Free Greek Life
Cultural Greek groups are not subject to the College’s sanctions because their membership spans multiple schools, according to Harvard spokesperson Aaron M. Goldman.
News Analysis: Harvard Seeks Unprecedented Control Over Recognized Final Clubs
Prior to a 1984 split, final clubs affiliated with Harvard could count on use of the school's telephone line, discounted steam heating, and little oversight. Today — for the three newly recognized clubs — things will work a little differently.
Fox, Delphic-Bee Clubs Among 15 Social Groups to Promise Co-Ed Status, Escaping Sanctions
The historically all-male Fox Club and the Delphic-Bee Club are the only unexpected names on a list of recognized social groups that administrators posted Friday.
Harvard’s Last Sorority Disappears as Alpha Phi Buckles to College Pressure, Goes Co-Ed
The Harvard chapter of Alpha Phi said last week it was disaffiliating from its national organization — marking the demise of Harvard’s fourth and final all-female Greek group.
Ex-Members of Shuttered Sorority Delta Gamma Launch Co-Ed Club ‘Kali Praxi’
Kali Praxi affiliate Basia Rosenbaum ’18 wrote in an email that the new group is “distinct” from the old sorority chapter, which became the first social club to shut down in response to the sanctions a week earlier.
Delta Gamma Becomes First Social Group to Close in Response to Sanctions
Harvard’s chapter of the Delta Gamma sorority is closing its doors — making it the first single-gender group to shut down in response to the College’s social group penalties.
Kappa Alpha Theta to Go Gender-Neutral in Fall 2018
Harvard’s chapter of the all-female sorority will become the gender-neutral social group “Theta Zeta Xi” and will disaffiliate from its national organization, the club announced Monday.
Social Groups’ Grad Boards Could Pose Obstacle to Avoiding Sanctions Under New Plan
Harvard could deny recognition—and exemption from the College’s sanctions—to student social groups whose graduate boards it determines exert too much sway over the organizations.
Faust Penned Letter to Stefanik Arguing Against Legislation that Could Imperil Sanctions
"I worry [the legislation] represents an effort by Congress to regulate student life and the shape and character of private institutions in a way that threatens to undermine that diversity of choice and experience," Faust wrote.
Harvard May Demand Social Groups Submit Gender Breakdowns to Avoid Sanctions
Harvard is considering requiring gender-neutral student social groups to disclose anonymized gender breakdowns to the College in order to avoid Harvard’s sanctions, per an email obtained by The Crimson.
Harvard Undergrads Lobby Congress In Effort to Imperil Sanctions
The students are particularly lobbying around the PROSPER Act, a proposed update to the Higher Education Act that—if passed—could force Harvard to choose between millions of dollars in federal research funding and its social group penalties.