OU’s Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity has been disbanded by its national organization following the Sunday night leak of a video showing members participating in a racist chant.
All fraternity members have been suspended and members responsible have had their membership permanently revoked, according to a press release from the fraternity’s national organization.
The 10-second video, which started circulating late Sunday evening, shows men on a charter bus signing a chant, saying “There will never be a n***** in SAE” and “You can hang them from a tree, but they’ll never sign with me.”
Sigma Alpha Epsilon could reestablish a chapter at OU in the future, according to the press release.
The video sparked a 7:30 a.m. Monday protest on the North Oval from minority rights groups, OU Unheard, and a prayer circle Sunday at 11:30 p.m. at the George Lynn Cross statue.
Before the group was shut down, OU officials and students denounced the video on social media, saying the behavior in the video did not align with OU’s values.
Requests for comments from OU officials and Interfraternity Council President Payne Parker on the fraternity closure were not returned by press time.
OU President David Boren released the following statement at 10:22 p.m., just before the fraternity’s national headquarters announced its closure:
“I have been informed of the video, which shows students engaging in a racist chant. We are investigating to determine if the video involved OU students. If OU students are involved, this behavior will not be tolerated and will be addressed very quickly. If the reports are true the chapter will no longer remain on campus. This behavior is reprehensible and contrary to all of our values.”
