Judge: Reinstate college frat house revoked over co-ed rule

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – A Connecticut private liberal arts college has been ordered to reinstate a fraternity house next fall after the school revoked its status over a requirement that residential fraternities accept women.

The Hartford Courant reports the judge Monday also ordered Wesleyan University to pay Delta Kappa Epsilon nearly $412,000 in attorney fees and other costs.

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 says it will appeal Monday’s ruling.

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Information from: Hartford Courant, http://www.courant.com