*The following letter was written as an urgent statement on the removal of TKP's University recognition and was sent to all relevant admin/individuals*

To Whom It May Concern,

I hope you are having a nice week as students return to campus. I am writing to you in regards to the status of Theta Kappa Phi sorority at Sewanee. Yesterday, I returned to campus excited to begin my junior year. Unfortunately I received notice that my sorority, Theta Kappa Phi, had lost University recognition officially.

Regardless of my personal opinions about the decision of the investigation, it is an undeniable fact that there were severe procedural errors that took place in this investigative process. First, according to the student code of conduct policies, there is a list of 9 rights that the University affirms students have privilege to. Specifically, our organization's members were denied rights listed as numbers 5,6, and 7. They are as follows:

1. To have an advisor, excluding an attorney, present in any conduct hearing. Advisors may not participate directly in a conduct hearing process nor may an advisor address any participant in the conduct hearing process other than the student the advisor is supporting;
2. To examine evidence to be used against him or her at the conduct meeting or prior to a formal hearing;
3. To view the list of witnesses against him or her prior to a formal hearing and to suggest additional witnesses to this list.

Moreover, I have received testimony from countless sisters who have shared their experiences with the private investigator who oversaw the interview process. I am disheartened to hear that almost every sister that was interviewed felt violated during this process. To quote one member, “The only time at Sewanee that I felt I have been ‘hazed’ was during my interview with the PI.” Although Theta Kappa Phi prides itself on being a home for strong, intelligent women, our members are not immune to the threat of abusive power dynamics. These sisters, who all are young women, were aggressively questioned by an older man who undoubtedly held the power to control each conversation. The alleged goal of the investigation was to find justice, yet these women were treated without basic the respect and care that one would expect when being questioned about sensitive experiences. I believe the behavior of this private investigator was anything but just.

 

Greek Life has a special place at universities across America, but especially at Sewanee. I chose Sewanee because of the close knit community and unique social life that the university offers. An integral aspect of this social life at Sewanee is Greek organizations. Greek organizations sponsor an overwhelming majority of social events on campus. While it is true that the Tiger Entertainment Board and other organizations sponsor events, on any given Thursday-Saturday night, it is often the case that the only social gatherings offered are Greek oriented. The great part about Sewanee’s Greek system is that it is open: you do not have to be a Greek member to attend. I agree wholeheartedly that Greek life needs to evolve. In fact, I believe that Sewanee has a very unique and critical opportunity to change Greek Life for the better. The Greek system is not without fault, as is the case for virtually every organization or structure in existence.When we are faced with issues in a given system, it is in the spirit of EQB to address these issues with the goal of progress and resolution, not with regressive punishments. The Greek system has a great deal of value and merit nationally, but especially at Sewanee. First, members of Greek organizations on campus remain in the top percentages of highest grade point average at Sewanee. Second, Greek Life is the crux of social life at Sewanee. According to information from 2020, upwards of 78% of students here are Greek affiliated. Third, Greek organizations remain the top producers of philanthropic contributions to various charities. For example, TKP has worked closely with CAC as our philanthropy for many years. What do we say now to the individuals who expect and rely on our help and aid?

When we look at the issue at hand, I do not believe removing Theta Kappa Phi is the answer, especially when this sorority represents the first example of women organizing on the mountain in Sewanee’s history. Theta Kappa Phi strives to be a positive, safe, and empowering space for women on this campus. Denying our organization the ability to commit to positive change is detrimental to all women on campus, especially the women who just arrived on campus to start their freshman year and could have found their home in TKP. Sewanee has a unique opportunity to be a model of what a modern, inclusive, and beneficial Greek system can look like. If Theta Kappa Phi were allowed to remain active as a sorority on campus, our organization has pledged to completely reconstruct the traditional approach to Greek life and completely do away with archaic practices such as hazing or pledgeship. This was a pledge made by our executive committee that was largely ignored. I fear that the university is going to miss the opportunity to be an avenue for change and a beacon for other institutions to look to when it comes to the evolution of the Greek system. It is clear to me that all Sewanee Greek life is suffering, as is demonstrated by the sanctions handed down to multiple organizations in the last year. In order to preserve and bolster the positive aspects of Sewanee’s Greek system and stop instances of hazing and injustice, we must seek rehabilitative justice, not punitive action.

It is my opinion (and one that is echoed by many who have endorsed this letter as well as hundreds of others who were not yet able to endorse given the time sensitive nature of this subject) that the current sanctions against TKP are actively destructive to the community and do not aid in transforming our Greek system. We want nothing more than for the administration to allow us to work with the university, and with the community, to improve. Rehabilitative sanctions are a necessary and meaningful way to ensure that we are all able to maintain our special home on the mountain. TKP and its members are eager to show the community and administration what Greek life can look like in 2022, if given the chance.

I do not write to you in an attempt to evade our responsibilities and obligations to the community. However, I am disheartened to see that my organization has received a punishment that is as severe as that given to Alpha Tau Omega, whose members were proven to unfortunately engage in physical abuse of new members. I want to be very clear: one form of hazing is never “better” than another. It is obvious, however, that the nature of our offenses do not warrant the same level of punishment. I have so much respect for this university and my sorority, and I am puzzled that our offenses have received the same punishment given for physical abuse. It is clear that offenses by male organizations far outpace those of female organizations, and this discrepancy is concerning to me as a woman on campus.  I would love to speak to you to discuss this issue further. I am hopeful that we can use this opportunity to become stronger as a community, and show others what Greek life can offer while attending college. 

 

Sincerely, 

Sofina Behr 

Class of 2024, Philosophy & Psychology 

Theta Kappa Phi Assistant DEI Chair 

Order of the Gown Educational Resource Chair

STIX Committee Secretary