Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity Announces Plan To Fight Racial Intolerance
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A fraternity under fire after a racist chant by University of Oklahoma students went viral has announced plans to address racial intolerance.
National leaders of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity – based in Evanston – held a news conference Wednesday in downtown Chicago, to unveil a four-step plan they hope will turn around the fraternity's image.
SAE executive director Blaine Ayers apologized, after several members of the University of Oklahoma chapter were filmed chanting racist slurs, references to lynching, and suggestions African Americans would never be admitted to the fraternity.
"I want to apologize on behalf of our fraternity for the pain this situation has caused. The words were offensive and harmful," he said. "So, as of last week, we started a comprehensive investigation of all of our chapters to determine if any others have engaged in behavior similar to what we saw on the video. If we learn of any discrimination or unacceptable behavior currently going on, we will be swift in our response."
After the video leaked, the University of Oklahoma immediately shut down the fraternity, and expelled two students who participated in the chant.
The national fraternity's new initiatives include hiring a director of diversity, requiring all members to take an online diversity program, and creating a hotline to report offensive behavior. SAE also is actively reviewing every individual chapter.
The SAE executive team said it is investigating two specific chapters, but would not explain why. As for the University of Oklahoma chapter, all 163 active members have had their standing in the national organization suspended.
Diversity consultant Dr. Charmon Parker-Williams says, the fraternity's plan mirrors programs developed in the corporate world.
"The good thing about them is it's a multifaceted comprehensive approach. so you're not just implementing training as a silver bullet," she said.