Delta Kappa Epsilon - Wesleyan University

The Deke Newsletter GAMMA PHI CHAPTER AT WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | FALL 2017 I hope you all had an enjoyable summer. As we look forward to a new academic year, I am happy to report on several positive developments at Delta Kappa Epsilon. First, as a result of the Wesleyan commencement on May 28, we happily welcomed the new graduate brothers into our alumni group. They celebrated in style with their families who provided a wonderful Sunday post-graduation brunch at the house. DKE remains a thriving presence on campus, and we look forward to another strong recruitment in 2017. Second, the Gamma Phi 150th celebration is fast approaching. We hope to see as many brothers there as possible on Saturday, October 7. If you did not receive your formal invitation in the mail by the time you read this newsletter, please contact Bill Ahern '78 at wahern@chelaw.com. Third, we are planning to host another open house at Homecoming on November 4. Please join us for refreshments before and after the Wesleyan-Williams game and hopefully another Little Three title! Most importantly, I want to update you on the state of our lawsuit against the administration. We won a resounding legal victory on June 14, when a Middletown Superior Court jury unanimously ruled that the administration had engaged in deceptive and unfair practices when it refused to consider our plan to co-educate the chapter and banned the house from the university's program housing system. The jury awarded us $386,000 in damages. We subsequently moved for equitable relief (letting the undergraduates back in the house), statutorily enhanced treble damages under the Unfair Trade Practices Act, and attorneys' fees of almost $400,000—which brings the university's potential liability close to $2 million. The court has tentatively scheduled to hear these motions in November. As loyal alumni who love Wesleyan, it was never our desire to sue our alma mater. We were forced to enter into this lawsuit as the only way to get the brothers back in the house. We have been disappointed by the administration's reaction to the verdict. Rather than engage in discussions with us that could stop the drain of legal expenses from the Wesleyan coffers, reestablish a positive relationship with a strong alumni group, and put this matter behind us, they continue to fight the legal fight while misrepresenting the facts of the case. We are gratified by the jury's decision, which validates that we were sincere in our dealings with the university and honestly tried to meet their coeducational requirements. Our hope is that the administration accepts the jury's verdict, comes to the table, and engages with us in meaningful dialogue to resolve the situation. We have a common bond in this fight for current and future DKEs. Consequently, as we move forward, your support will be more vital than ever before. Join with us as we fulfill this solemn pledge. In the Bonds, Gary Breitbord '79 Kent Literary Club President (508) 740-9310 gbreitbo@aol.com Brighter Times Ahead for DKE Your Support Is More Important Than Ever DKES UNITE AT 2017 REUNION WEEKEND Ted Stevens '77, Jim Laliberty '77, Mike Coffey '77, Buddy Taft, Chi Psi '77, Dave Matteodo '77, and Scott Karsten '74. Photo credit: Gretchen Dowling Jeremy Epstein '18, Blake Cunningham '16, Anthony Antonellis '15, Former tight ends coach John Day '15, Dan Lorenza '17, and Brenden Patterson '20. Photo credit: Gretchen Dowling

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