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| 04-14-2004 | Previous edition: 04-13-2004 |
        
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Printer-friendly version Gimlets must allow women to keep statusBy Liz BowerAssistant Campus Editor The Office of the Dean of Students is mandating that Gimlets recruit women into the Class of 2005 in order to regain full recognition as a student organization. The office determined that the leadership honorary was not in compliance with the University Nondiscrimination Policy, said Pablo Malavenda, associate dean of students. Even though the rush process is over and a pledge class has been picked for 2005, Gimlet has selected females who they will invite to join the pledge class before the semester is over. The office is requiring the group to recruit women by May 1, postpone officer elections until then and immediately activate and integrate the women into equal status. Jeremy Morton, senior in the School of Technology and the Class of 2004 Gimlet president, said that the new women members will be initiated right away and won’t have to go through the pledge process. He thinks pledging is one of the ways members of the class can get closer to each other. The Gimlet Leadership Honorary was founded as an athletic spirit club in 1922, but 28 years ago it became a leadership honorary associated with fraternity leaders. The group may be better known to some as the men in sweaters who do push-ups and ring the bell after Purdue scores during football games. After the recruitment process, a female filed a complaint with the Office of the Dean of Students against the Gimlets claiming she was denied membership because she is female. However, after a hearing, the office did not find enough evidence to act upon the complaint, said Malavenda. Although the office did not find that the group is biased toward men, the organization is still in provisional active status. "We were not convinced they were actively recruiting females," Malavenda said. "I am not disagreeing with them that the three women (who did rush) did not meet the criteria, but maybe the recruitment process could have attracted more women." The group must work with the office to plan a new recruitment process, which will need to be approved. Morton said the group recruited women in the same way they recruited men. "Although we respect the office’s decision, we are disappointed with the outcome and the University," he said. Also as part of the provisions to regain full status, the Class of 2004 has been forced into alumni status before the completion of their term. Jim Vruggink, Gimlet adviser, said the status "casts a cloud" over the class. "It sends the seniors out with a sour taste in their mouths." Morton said the forced alumni status shortens their experience and it’s another disappointment for him and the rest of his class. Because Gimlet has a 100-percent turnaround every year, the transition to a coed leadership honorary should be easy, Vruggink said. "The change will only make the Gimlets stronger. They are very much a part of Purdue tradition and will continue to be." Malavenda said that the Class of 2005 has what it takes to make the transition year a smooth one. "This is going to be a senior year leadership experience like no other; the members will be part of the historical year." Printer-friendly version |
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