Purdue News
Purdue News
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February 10, 2004 Purdue Gimlet Leadership Honorary invites women to joinWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Gimlet Leadership Honorary, founded at Purdue in 1922, will accept sorority women starting with Sunday's (2/15) rush. "By expanding its membership opportunities to include the top sorority leaders on our campus, the Gimlet Leadership Honorary will now have the potential to become one of the truly outstanding student organizations at Purdue," says Jim Vruggink, director of special projects for Purdue University Relations and Gimlet adviser. "I want to see Gimlet become more involved in community service activities while continuing its strong support of Boilermaker athletics." The change followed a review of the organization and a recommendation from the Office of the Dean of Students. "At first we thought of it as a fraternity, which was exempt from Title IX," said Pablo Malavenda, associate dean of students. "After a review, we determined that it was really a leadership honorary and, therefore, must be open to both men and women. We know this may be a challenge for some students, but we will support them through the change." The opinion was based on Title IX federal legislation requiring gender equity in government-funded educational programs. The original organization, named the Gimlet Club, was made up of 150 men who pledged to improve university athletics, create a heightened spirit of loyalty and be of general service to Purdue at all times. One tradition still practiced today requires a group of members, each wearing a shirt or sweater with a large letter G on it, to perform push-ups on the football field after touchdowns. Another tradition is the ringing of the victory bell on the field following home football game wins. In 1976, the club reorganized as a leadership honorary composed of leaders among fraternity members. Goals of the honorary include leadership development, creating a social bond among members and improving the student body's appreciation for Purdue's history and heritage. For information about rush, contact Alan Holt, (765) 366-7381; Adam Parrish, (574) 596-6829 or Jeremy Morton, (765) 412-4532. Three rush events will take place on the following days: Sunday, Feb. 15, 8 p.m. at Sigma Nu Fraternity; Wednesday, Feb. 18, 7 p.m. at Delta Tau Delta Fraternity; and Sunday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m. at Sigma Chi Fraternity. Interview times will be posted on Tuesday, Feb. 24, outside the Purdue Interfraternity Council office in Purdue Memorial Union, Room 284. Interviews will be conducted on Wednesday, Feb. 25, and the new members list will be posted on Thursday, Feb. 26. Writer: Reni Winter, (765) 496-3133, rwinter@purdue.edu Sources: Pablo Malavenda, (765) 494-1232, pablo@purdue.edu Jim Vruggink, (765) 494-2086, jvruggink@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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