We write this response on behalf of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity concerning the Jan. 14 Daily article titled "Rush event under investigation," and its corresponding editorial. We do not intend to dispute that we had professional midgets wrestling at a recruitment event. However, we do strongly disagree with both the article and editorial's inferences and conclusions concerning violations of university rules.
The article states that we could be in violation of Northwestern's hazing policy which defines hazing as "any action taken or situation created, whether on or off University premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule for the purpose of ... affiliation with ... a group, team, club, or their organization." The event did not violate the hazing policy.
First, the fraternity did not produce mental harm to any individual who was trying to gain membership or affiliation with our house. There was a disclaimer at the beginning made by the owner/performer of the show that detailed what would occur.
Second, we did not create any situation that fostered physical harm towards individuals. We did not create any situation in which the performers were forced to hurt themselves or take uncalculated risks, which they had not practiced many times before.
Many of their acts were clearly staged, just like any other form of professional wrestling. Their work is performance art.
Thirdly, we did not force anyone to participate, watch or remain at the event. This event was not a requirement to join this fraternity. In fact, we offered bids to numerous individuals who did not attend the first night's event.
Therefore, this event can hardly be considered hazing. We are also accused of "falsely" advertising our event in the Interfraternity Council Recruitment ad in The Daily. Again, we violated no rule here. We had "Wrestling" written in our Daily ad, which is an accurate description of the event. Furthermore, changing the dates of our events is in no way a violation of any university rule. The event was clearly written on our fliers posted on our front door and all over campus.
In conclusion, we would like to quote David Spett's article ("Political correctness gone too far," Jan. 14) that appears directly next to the editorial in question. "Diversity is crucial to education, and it's in too short supply here. It's eerie that schools enact faux rules to show they care. And it's wrong that, in the name of tolerance, they can use those rules to quell expression they dislike."
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