UGA Sorority Suspended During Discrimination Investigation - University of Georgia - Brief Article

Black Issues in Higher Education, Sept 28, 2000

ATHENS, GA.

University of Georgia officials have temporarily suspended a sorority while they investigate claims that an African American student was denied membership because of her race.

University officials say a member of Alpha Gamma Delta filed a complaint against the sorority, which led officials to conduct a preliminary investigation.

"Discrimination is wrong and will not be tolerated at the University of Georgia," the university's president, Dr. Michael F. Adams, said in a statement. "I condemn discrimination personally, and I condemn it as president of this institution. Based on the allegation and the early investigation as reported to me, it appears this sorority has acted wrongly in both motive and result."

Officials me investigating whether a member commented during a chapter meeting on the effect a Black member might have on the sorority and on the race of a rush candidate.

While under interim suspension, Alpha Gamma Delta cannot hold social or recruitment activities. Those living in the sorority house will be allowed to stay, pending the outcome of the investigation and a possible formal heating by the student judiciary. Representatives of Alpha Gamma Delta are also investigating the matter and have the option of issuing sanctions.

Meanwhile, the university has reached a settlement with additional plaintiffs who filed suit after being denied admission, alleging that the school's use of race as a factor in some borderline admissions decisions was discriminatory (see Black Issues, Aug. 17).

In addition to granting admission and monetary awards, university officials say they are not awarding any scholarships to undergraduates in which race is a qualifying factor.