Donald W. Solanas Jr of Indianpolis is the international executive director of Acacia fraternity

The editorial, "Lawsuit dead ahead" (Free Press, Feb. 13), was brought to my attention. It is very unfortunate the officials of the University of Vermont did not take as balanced an approach and were not able to be as dispassionate in their evaluation of the facts.

Acacia agrees with the editorial´s comments regarding the apparent display of unacceptable behavior by undergraduate members of the Vermont chapter. Of equal concern to us is what appears to be the deliberate and malicious public attacks on the under graduate students. It appears some representatives of the University of Vermont administration have participated in what they believe to be a politically correct resolution of this matter and have impugned the integrity of UVM Acacians.

An administrative hearing where guilt was presumed, the admission of relevant evidence was denied, an appeal ruling was issued deigned to justify a lack of due process, and the imposi tion of sanctions so severe and harsh that they read like a star chamber proceeding characterize the UVM handling of the incident.

The Vermont chapter of Acacia is an unbiased and diverse group of college men that truly represents the diversity sought by UVM administrators. The action of these students is truly "not an act of bigotry, but of ignorance" as the editorial stated. It is also an act based on political satire, as the facts of the case clearly show. How ironic when viewed from today´s international perspective that this political satire was directed toward Saddam Hussein and his actions, which have created problems throughout the world.

Through the mischaracteriza tions of the Acacia fraternity- half-truths spread by campus e mail and a demonstration that included members of the UVM administration and faculty- these young men were found guilty before they had a chance to defend themselves. If this conduct constitutes respect for the rights of others, then certainly we have a dual standard in this matter.

Acacians across the United States and Canada support and applaud the effort to reverse this incredulous display of unjustifiable conduct by certain UVM administrators and faculty members. The implementation of reasonable discipline in these circumstances for these college men is what the situation warrants.

Rather than a continuation of the unjustifiable conduct of certain officials of the university, I encourage an outside impartial investigation of the events. A one-sided review does not serve any of the parties well and can only continue to inflame a situation that initially should have been handled in a manner that showed balance, maturity and an understanding of the basic dure process rights of the parties.

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