Evanston-Based Fraternity Apologizes for Racist Video Captured of Oklahoma Chapter

The fraternity in which several members at the Oklahoma University chapter were caught on video making racist chants has its national headquarters in Evanston.

The video shows several people on a bus participating in a chant that included a racial slur, referenced lynching and indicated black students would never be admitted to OU’s chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

A statement from Brandon Weghorst, spokesman for Sigma Alpha Epsilon, condemned the racist video and says the chapter at Oklahoma has been suspended.

“We apologize for the unacceptable and racist behavior of the individuals in the video, and we are disgusted that any member would act in such a way,” the statement read in part. “Furthermore, we are embarrassed by this video and offer our empathy not only to anyone outside the organization who is offended but also to our brothers who come from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures and ethnicities.”

Now, the University of Oklahoma has severed its ties with the fraternity and received a statement from their school president who suggested he was “sickened and couldn’t eat or sleep after learning of the video,” CBS reported.

Members of the Oklahoma-chapter were “not totally forthcoming,” according to the OU president, who indicated an investigation is open to see whether the group violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which violates racial discrimination.

SAE has multiple branches in Illinois, CLTV reported, including at Loyola University Chicago and Eastern Illinois University. It is currently the largest fraternity on Loyola’s campus, according to the branch’s Web site.

This isn’t the first controversy the fraternity finds itself in. In 2011, the group was kicked off campus at the University of Michigan for hazing allegations and were just recently banned for a year at Yale University for allegedly violating sexual policy violations.

Correction: A previous version of this story indicated SAE’s headquarters are at Northwestern. It is located near the campus, but is not affiliated with the University.

ALSO ON EVANSTON PATCH:

City Workers Used Less Sick Time in 2014

Maple Avenue Development Introduced to Council

Evanston May Tighten Gun Range Restrictions

RECENT NORTH SHORE HEADLINES

If you’re having difficulty viewing on a mobile device, click here. Use the scroll bar at the right of our list to find more news posted recently.