Editorial: UCLA must explain its reasons for reprimand

In February, Stanford’s dean of students temporarily
suspended that school’s Delta Delta Delta sorority. The dean
offered a explanation for his action, discussing it with
Stanford’s student newspaper.

Documents regarding the suspension were also made available.
Students reading the newspaper knew what the sorority did to
warrant suspension and were given information about the
decision-making process behind the administration’s
action.

Students at UCLA should be so lucky.

Sadly, the administration at California’s largest public
campus is less dedicated to providing a public explanation for its
conduct than is the administration at the state’s most
prestigious private campus.

For the second time in two quarters, the UCLA administration is
operating in possible violation of state law by refusing to give
the Daily Bruin documents relating to UCLA’s reprimanding of
sororities or fraternities. Essentially, the administration is
acting under the assumption it can punish a student group without
even offering an explanation as to why. That’s
frightening.

Sigma Chi ““ the fraternity in question ““ may want
the administration to stay mum. Even so, students interested in
joining the fraternity, groups who are co-sponsoring events with
Sigma Chi, parents concerned about possible alcohol abuse, and,
indeed, anyone who’s curious, deserve ““ and have a
right ““ to know what’s going on.