The University of Oklahoma severed ties Monday with its chapter of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity following public outcry over a video that appeared to show frat members singing a racist chant.
OU President David Boren released a statement that carried a strong message for the frat members caught on video chanting “there will never be a nigger in SAE.”
“You are disgraceful,” he said in the statement.
He added that the university decided to end its affiliation with the SAE chapter and had given its members until midnight Tuesday to move out of their frat house.
SAE’s national headquarters had already moved overnight to shut down the OU chapter.
Read the university president’s full statement below:
To those who have misused their free speech in such a reprehensible way, I have a message for you. You are disgraceful. You have violated all that we stand for. You should not have the privilege of calling yourselves “Sooners.” Real Sooners are not racist. Real Sooners are not bigots. Real Sooners believe in equal opportunity. Real Sooners treat all people with respect. Real Sooners love each other and take care of each other like family members.
Effective immediately, all ties and affiliations between this University and the local SAE chapter are hereby severed. I direct that the house be closed and that members will remove their personal belongings from the house by midnight tomorrow. Those needing to make special arrangements for positions shall contact the Dean of Students.
All of us will redouble our efforts to create the strongest sense of family and community. We vow that we will be an example to the entire country of how to deal with this issue. There must be zero tolerance for racism everywhere in our nation.
President Boren
