Wesleyan University in Middletown has been ordered to reinstate a fraternity house next fall after the school revoked its status over a requirement that residential fraternities accept women.
In June, a jury found the school violated the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act, made negligent misrepresentations and interfered with Delta Kappa Epsilon's business relationships.
The fraternity's alumni chapter was awarded $386,000 in damages.
Wesleyan announced the co-ed requirement in 2014 as part of a strategy to create a safer, more inclusive campus. It later revoked the fraternity's housing status, saying the chapter didn't take "meaningful steps" toward becoming co-ed.
Wesleyan said it is disappointed with the court's decision and will appeal Monday's ruling.
“While we respect the court’s authority, we have deep concerns about the legal basis for the order and its impact on Wesleyan’s ability to oversee the safety and integrity of our residential program—a crucial part of the education we offer:"Wesleyan President Michael Roth and Donna Morea, chair of the Board of Trustees, said in a statement.
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"Wesleyan’s residential co-education policy reflects our core values of equity and inclusion. When Wesleyan announced this policy, DKE made its opposition clear, and has never demonstrated to the university that it would fully embrace the policy and be the kind of partner Wesleyan needs in something as important as student housing. Wesleyan will continue to insist on equal access to, and full and equal participation in, all residential housing for our students, regardless of gender,” the statement goes on to say.
University officials said the DKE house remains off-limits to students.
