Texas school probes report of racist song similar to OU's
AUSTIN, Texas -- Administrators at the University of Texas at Austin are investigating rumors of a Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity chant at the fraternity's chapter there similar to the racist song at the center of a controversy at the University of Oklahoma.
UT Austin president Bill Powers released a statement Wednesday confirming the investigation.
"Our dean of students said Monday she is looking into this matter as is standard practice in such cases," the statement read.
However, the SAE chapter at UT Austin sent out a strong response distancing itself from its OU counterparts calling the song "vindictive" and saying his fraternity brothers were "appalled" by it.
"I would like to clarify that we do not perform this chant or anything remotely close to it for that matter, nor had I, or any active member in our entire chapter, heard of the chant preceding the release of the video containing racial slurs," said chapter president Luke Cone in a statement to CBS News affiliate KEYE.
SAE members at OU were suspended and the fraternity thrown off campus this week after a video surfaced of a singalong using a racial slur and referencing lynching. University President David Boren said Tuesday two students had been expelled after being identified "as playing a leadership role" in the incident, which he said created a "hostile learning environment for others." He said the university is working to identify other students who were involved and who may also face discipline.
Two former OU students, Parker Rice and Levi Pettit, issued apologies for their roles in leading the chanting, which took place Saturday aboard a bus en route to a fraternity anniversary event.
UT Austin administrators also said the OU incident has raised new questions about the school's response to off campus fraternity Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI), which hosted a party where some guests came in costumes depicting racial stereotypes.
"The FIJIs have apologized, have been fully engaged with the dean of students' efforts," Powers' statement said. " The University of Texas remains committed to creating a diverse campus. I remain committed to a campus that welcomes everyone."