Watch: Syracuse Frat Suspended Over Racist, Homophobic Videos

SYRACUSE, NY — Syracuse University suspended a fraternity after learning that videos were posted on the internet that were "extremely racist, anti-semitic, homophobic, sexist, and hostile to people with disabilities." In a letter posted on the university's website on Thursday, Chancellor Kent Syverud said it had learned of "extremely troubling and disturbing" conduct at its professional fraternity chapter Theta Tau.

"The conduct is deeply harmful and contrary to the values and community standards we expect of our students," Syverud said. "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."

The Daily Orange, an independent newspaper in the city, obtained videos filmed in Theta Tau’s house, which show one person coercing another to his knees and asking him to recite an oath that includes racial slurs.

"I solemnly swear to always have hatred in my heart for [slur], [slur], and most importantly the f---ing [slur]," one person said, referencing black, Hispanic and Jewish people.

In another recording, someone yells at two other people using anti-Semitic language: “You f---ing [slur], get in the f--king showers,” he says, alluding to Nazi gas chambers. The video also shows frat members laughing as they pretend to perform sex acts on each other.

A separate video shows someone sit in a rolling chair. Someone else shouts, “He’s drooling out of his mouth because he’s retarded in a wheelchair.”

The videos were posted in a secret Facebook group called “Tau of Theta Tau,” the newspaper reported.

Syverud said he was both appalled and shaken by the videos and felt deeply concerned for the university's community.

The university’s Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities confirmed Theta Tau’s involvement, he said, and immediately suspended the fraternity, effectively halting all activities. Evidence has also been given to the public safety department, which is investigating to try to find out who was involved and to take additional legal and disciplinary action.

"Syracuse University is committed to fostering a community where all our students feel welcome and are treated with dignity and respect," Syverud said. "This behavior is unacceptable and contradicts our moral standards."

Protests broke out on campus Wednesday evening, The Daily Orange reported, including outside Syverud’shome. Students demanded the university release the videos.

You can watch one of the videos here, though be warned, the video contains graphic language and content.

Photo credit: Debra Millet/Shutterstock