Editor,

In response to the TSL’s article from last week, "Anonymous Group Attacks Phi Delta," we would like to make some additions and clarify a few points. Phi Delta President D’Olier claims that the fraternity "does not in any way accord [sic] the degradation or objectification of women," and that "there is not a single thing on that list that includes getting with women." However, as Megan Purn reports in her article, women were approached by initiates with requests that included tying them up and photographing them. We have several corroborating reports of such incidents during initiation; women were also propositioned for sex. D’Olier also claims that "the dictum that was quoted was misquoted in the fliers [posted by Kodak66]." Yet three non-Phi Delta members who saw the dictum themselves confirmed that the information on the flier was correct.

In addition, we have learned of other disturbing initiation practices. Several sources have informed us that initiates were coerced into drinking as much as a liter of hard alcohol in a weekday, regardless of academic or other commitments. Throughout the initiation, the fraternity showed blatant disregard for the well-being of its initiates and a complete lack of respect for other members of the Colleges. By assigning points to sexual interactions and targeting specific female students, they severely degrade and demoralize women. Their actions and attitudes are damaging to all members of our community.

Phi Delta members have gone to great lengths to conceal this information. Kodak66 posted five hundred fliers all over Pomona’s campus at 5:00 am on Tuesday, March 30, and Phi Delta members were immediately called to remove them. By 8:00 am, all of the fliers were gone.

We cannot accept these appalling practices and attitudes from our friends and classmates. All of us need to examine and respond to the impact of these behaviors on our lives.

Sincerely,

Julia Stone ‘00

Lisette González ‘00

Chris Bissell ‘01

Natasha Gronski ‘00

Sara Van Note ‘99

Jason T. Hewitt ’99

Anjali Kamat ‘00