March 12, 2006

Colgate fraternity loses suit to reinstate chapter

          

HAMILTON, N.Y. A fraternity's lawsuit seeking to reinstate its undergraduate chapter at Colgate University has been dismissed in state Supreme Court.

 

Delta Kappa Epsilon sued the private college in the central New York village of Hamilton in October, claiming the university arbitrarily applied the rules of a new housing policy that took effect in August.

 

The policy required Greek organizations to sell their houses to the school in order to retain recognition as a campus organization.

 

Justice Dennis McDermott ruled this week that DKE (Deke) challenged actions the university's board is legally permitted to take.

 

McDermott says the Colgate board can "change policies without having to consult or negotiate with the student body," including requiring students to live in university-owned housing.