Syracuse Fraternity Under Fire For "Extremely Racist" Videos

Syracuse University suspended Theta Tau after a series of videos depicting members of the engineering fraternity making racist comments were released by Syracuse’s independent student newspaper, The Daily Orange.

School officials said the videos were “extremely racist, anti-Semitic, homophobic, sexist, and hostile to people with disabilities.” The videos were taken inside the Theta Tau house and feature members on their knees while reciting racist and anti-Semitic "oaths" as other members cheer them on and laugh. In other videos, members were recording making fun of people with mental illness. 

Syracuse's Chancellor Kent Syverud called the videos "deeply harmful" in a campus-wide email announcing the suspension of the fraternity. 

Videos showing this offensive behavior have surfaced online. They include words and behaviors that are extremely racist, anti-semitic, homophobic, sexist, and hostile to people with disabilities. I am appalled and shaken by this and deeply concerned for all members of our community.

The conduct is deeply harmful and contrary to the values and community standards we expect of our students. There is absolutely no place at Syracuse University for behavior or language that degrades any individual or group’s race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender identity, disability or religious beliefs.

A group of students protested outside the Chancellor's house, which is across the street from the Theta Tau house. They demanded that the school release all the videos.

“We are not (Theta Tau),” said Liam McMonagle, a protest organizer and sophomore broadcast and digital journalism major. “They are not us. And they do not represent this community.”

Photo: Getty Images


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