A group of frat boys were removed from classes at Syracuse University after a disgraceful video emerged.
Syracuse University confirmed it had removed 18 students from regular classes and ‘started disciplinary proceedings’ against them.
The video was shot at a controversial Theta Tau fraternity event and featured the group being racist and anti-Semitic.
A second offensive video also surfaced showing simulated sexual assault of a disabled person.
The first video was published last week by the student newspaper The Daily Orange, who then released a second shocking video on Sunday (April 22), showing ‘Theta Tau brothers’ imitating a disabled person in a wheelchair being forced to perform oral sex.
The university announced it had permanently expelled Theta Tau.
University Chancellor Kent Syverud described the video as ‘appalling and disgusting’, and said in a statement on the university’s website:
The video depicts sexual assault, physical violence and grotesque hostility toward and mockery of people with physical, intellectual and other disabilities.
I have noted that its disgusting content included extreme and egregious racism, sexism, ableism, anti-Semitism and homophobia. I deeply believe it was important to name that video for what it is, and I will be consistent in responding to this second video.
The words and behaviors in the second video are appalling and disgusting on many intersecting grounds. They especially offend all Syracuse University holds dear about diversity and inclusion of people with disabilities.
I am deeply concerned about how the continuing exposure to hateful videos is causing further hurt and distress to members of our campus community who are still dealing with the last public display of bigotry and hatred.
According to CNN, Theta Tau issued a statement, which reads:
Anyone of color or of any marginalised group who has seen this video has every right to be angry and upset with the despicable contents of that video.
The new members roasted him by playing the part of a racist conservative character. It was a satirical sketch of an uneducated, racist, homophobic, misogynist, sexist, ableist and intolerant person.
The young man playing the part of this character nor the young man being roasted do not hold any of the horrible views espoused as a part of that sketch.
We cannot apologise enough for the pain, sadness and fear that this has caused.
The Dean of Students, Robert Hradsky, said the university would not be able to release the names of the individuals involved in the videos due to ‘federal privacy law’, writes Syracuse.com.
He said:
We won’t be able to provide any individually identifying information. Now it doesn’t apply to groups. That’s why we were able to tell you that (Theta Tau) was expelled. It does apply to individuals.
According to Syracuse University Chief of Public Safety Bobby Maldonado they are considered student code of conduct violations.
Fellow students have been out protesting against the videos:
Biko Mandela Gray, an assistant professor in the university’s department of religion, said he was concerned senior members of the fraternity could graduate without ‘dealing with any ramifications’.
Adding:
You’ve got students who might be seniors among those 18. They can’t graduate. They just can’t walk out of here with a diploma. Can not happen.
Once they get an engineering job it was a blip in their college careers. I hate to say it but they have to feel the same vulnerability they put me under when they put that video out there.
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