Sigma Phi Epsilon - Colorado School of Mines

2 SIGMA PHI EPSILON O n December 3, sororities, fraternities and students filed a pair of lawsuits challenging a Harvard sanctions poli- cy that punishes students who join off-campus, single-sex social organizations. The lawsuits de- scribe how Harvard used a campaign of threats and intimidation to scare students into abandon- ing their fundamental rights to free association and to live free of sex discrimination. In the federal suit, a broad coalition of students and women's and men's organizations impact- ed by Harvard's sanctions—two international sororities, two international fraternities, a Cam- bridge fraternity chapter, and three current Har- vard students—assert that through the sanctions policy, Harvard has interfered with students' right to be free of sex discrimination, as guaran- teed by Title IX and the U.S. Constitution. In the suit filed in Massachusetts court, three women's organizations—an international soror- ity, one of its chapters, and a sorority housing corporation—assert that Harvard has interfered with students' rights to free association and equal treatment based on sex, both of which are protected by the Massachusetts Constitution. Alleging violations of the Massachusetts Civ- il Rights Act, the suit seeks to bring a stop to Harvard's sanctions by calling for an injunction prohibiting the University from continuing to unlawfully punish students. "As a result of this policy, almost all of the once vibrant sororities and women's final clubs open to Harvard women have either closed or had to renounce their proud status as women's social organizations," said Renee Zainer, international president of Alpha Phi, a plaintiff organization in the state case. "Together, we are standing up to Harvard on behalf of all students, because they have the right to shape their own leadership and social paths. Harvard simply can't erase the spac- es students value for support and opportunity." The plaintiffs and lawsuits have a breadth of support from nearly 100 single-sex organiza- tions, including the 26 sororities of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), the 66 fraterni- ties of the North American Interfraternity Con- ference (NIC), and the organizations in the Cam- bridge Coalition. When the lawsuits were filed, the groups col- lectively launched a grassroots campaign to bring awareness to the issue and the value of single-sex organizations. Thousands of people posted about their fraternity/sorority experienc- es and disdain for Harvard's trampling of stu- dent rights using the hashtag #standuptoharvard. More than 62,000 people have signed a petition to make their voices heard. Learn more and sign the petition at standuptoharvard.org. Sororities, Fraternities, Students File Federal and State Suits That Challenge Harvard's Ban on Single-Sex Organizations W hen Bill Ruppert '72 began his journey at Mines, he knew that he wanted to join a fra- ternity. His father, Bill Sr., pledged Iowa Beta during his time at Iowa State but never became an initi- ated member of SigEp. Yet, the elder Bill spoke highly of Sigma Phi Epsilon and the Greek experience and en- couraged his son to get involved when he was an under- graduate. "It was his recollection of that brief time with the SigEp brothers that helped convince me that I want- ed to join a fraternity," Bill said. Fortunately, Bill made a connection with the Chapter that ultimately helped him make his decision. "Colorado Delta seemed to be a good bunch of guys that I related to," Bill stated. Invaluable Opportunities In addition to the strong sense of security and brotherhood Bill expe- rienced at Colorado Delta, he credits the Fraternity for teaching him vital life skills. Brothers such as Swede Arnston '51, Marv Kay '60, Arthur Biddle '61, and Jim White '64 also played instrumental roles in Bill's life, and he believes they made his Fraternity experience bet- ter than he could have ever asked for. "Our interactions, relationships, and the impact that they have had on my life are too great to ever fully express in words," Bill said. Life After Mines After graduating with a metallurgical engineering degree, Bill went on to work on the "people side of various businesses" in marketing, sales, and business development roles. He has worked for large companies including Trane, Kaiser Engineers, and Bechtel, a few smaller companies, and has owned a couple businesses as well. His "blessedly checkered" career was positively impacted by his Colorado Delta experiences. "My SigEp experience was elemental to my career," Bill said. More Than Four Years No matter where his life took him, Bill has always made his SigEp brothers a priority. "I stay in touch with many of the brothers. In fact, some of my best friends, former business associates, clients, and confidants are Colorado Delta SigEps," Bill said. He is also impressed with the current state of the Chapter and hopes to see them con- tinue their extraordinary success. "The brotherhood remains the same, except for the fact the undergraduates are significantly better students than we were," Bill said. "They still believe in what Sigma Phi Epsi- lon stands for and are growing to become brothers for life." Keeping Connected As a Denver area resident and past alumni board member, Bill is looking forward to making more memories with his brothers and participating in Chapter events and activities. "I want to be instru- mental in gathering interest and participation in future events," Bill said. If you would like to reconnect with Bill, you can reach him at weruppert@gmail.com. An Elemental, Lifelong Experience Bill Ruppert '72 Shares the Impact of Brotherhood on His Life and Career

• Cover