LETTER: Acacia Response

What does it mean to be a part of society? It means respecting the community in which you reside and recognizing the right of every individual to live as they see fit. As the president of the Franklin Chapter of Acacia, I, Chris Gidden, wish to take this opportunity to pledge the fullest enthusiasm of this house towards the emulation of these ideals. The recent wave of articles characterizing both our house and others in the Greek system as being both sexist and insensitive presents a clouded and unjust perspective. The Acacia brothers who were involved in the incidents of last spring will not be a part of this house as it moves into the future. This organization took measures against these brothers last May, well before there was either a Judicial Inquiry Office investigation or any other form of pressure from the University community. The incidents that took place went against all of the principles that make Acacia a brotherhood and were not tolerated by the active chapter or its alumni. We deeply regret the episodes which occured last year. The time has come to learn from past mistakes, look towards the future, and put these incidents behind us. CHRIS GIDDEN Wharton '93