Fraternity, NOW to Hold Seminars : CSUN: The groups will present 'empowerment days'--on sexual harassment and violence against women--in wake of disputed party flyer.

Fraternity, NOW to Hold Seminars : CSUN: The groups will present ‘empowerment days’--on sexual harassment and violence against women--in wake of disputed party flyer.

By AARON CURTISS

Aug. 25, 1993 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

NORTHRIDGE — A Cal State Northridge fraternity announced Tuesday that it will hold sexual-harassment seminars in conjunction with the National Organization for Women to make amends for an unauthorized party flyer that featured a sexily drawn woman and invited guests to “rape, pillage and burn.”

Campus officials and student leaders applauded the move by the leadership of Lambda Chi Alpha, but some members and alumni complained that the fraternity was kowtowing to pressure from campus feminist groups.

“I think the whole thing is a travesty,” said Pierre Ismail, a CSUN graduate student and member of the fraternity since 1987. He said the flyer was intended as a joke.

“All we’re doing is admitting wrong, even though we did nothing wrong,” he said, nodding toward an outdoor news conference on the campus held to announce the fraternity’s cooperation with NOW.

“This looks like our punishment or our rehabilitation. I feel sorry for my fraternity brothers because they are putting their beliefs on the back burner for the sake of political correctness.”

Few agreed with Ismail, instead complaining that the flyer promoted violence against women. Fraternity chapter President Ryan Flahaven conceded that some members were leery of working with NOW, but added: “In this day and age, it is something we, as a chapter as a whole, feel is needed.”

The flyer, inviting fraternity members and alumni to mock war games with paint-ball guns, depicts a curvaceous woman wearing skintight pants and a holstered pistol. Next to the illustration are the words: “Wouldn’t it be great to rape, pillage and burn with your brothers . . . again?”

Flahaven said the flyer was mailed by a 33-year-old alumnus of the fraternity, without the knowledge of Lambda Chi leaders. The national office of the fraternity--saying it heard about the flyer from members offended by it--reported the incident to CSUN officials and immediately apologized.

Last year, another CSUN fraternity, Zeta Beta Tau, was suspended for distributing party invitations that included the name “Lupe,” which protesters said was a reference to a bawdy drinking song about “a Mexican whore.”

The fraternity sued, contending that the suspension violated its right of free speech, and the university lifted the suspension on the advice of lawyers.

Both publication of the flyer and lifting of the suspension brought protests by the student government and campus activists.

Jean Morrison, president of the CSUN branch of NOW, said she expects the Lambda Chi incident to foster better understanding of gender issues. Fraternity members will help NOW present at least two “empowerment days” this fall, discussing sexual harassment and violence against women.

The fraternity will also work with NOW to put on seminars on gender and racial issues. Morrison and others said the fraternity’s efforts should not be viewed as penance, but as a constructive way to deal with discrimination.

“We need to give this fraternity the benefit of the doubt,” Morrison said. “I am impressed by the way Ryan Flahaven and the national chapter have reacted.”

Campus officials commended the fraternity, saying its actions might serve as an example for others.

“I think this is a good example of a fraternity taking responsibility for something. They didn’t try to sweep it under the carpet,” said Ron Kopita, CSUN vice president of student affairs.