University of Oklahoma (OU) President David Boren took the podium Monday to make a decisive and strong statement regarding the school's Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity chapter.
Not even 24 hours after a 10-second voyeur video displayed OU SAE members chanting a racist verse repeatedly, Boren condemned the "racists and bigots" who participated. In his press conference Monday morning, News9 reported, he said the school's investigators will be seeking out students who were involved beyond those most prominently featured in the video.
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In his address, he said school officials will explore disciplinary action for anyone identified in the video. He also referenced a second video that appeared online after the first one surfaced.
Boren apparently first became aware of the video when a student group called OU Unheard posted it to Twitter with the message: "racism is alive and well at OU, @President_Boren."
Video below contains offensive language.
Racism is alive at The University of Oklahoma. @President_Boren pic.twitter.com/eAvnPD8jxA — Unheard (@OU_Unheard) March 8, 2015
Boren responded within hours, announcing an immediate inquiry to confirm the people in the video as SAE members. He released a second statement Monday morning before giving his official press conference.
SAE's national organization officially dismissed OU's Kappa chapter Sunday night and Boren did the same in his address. He said the chapter will not exist on OU's campus as long as he is the school's president.
He also praised the student body for who they responded to the video when it went viral on social media and eventually turned into a national headline. He said while some students may face serious punishments for their involvement, he ultimately wants them to "grow as people."
As for those who have to leave the SAE fraternity house on OU's campus, Boren said they will get no help from the school.
"We don't provide student services for bigots," the New York Daily News quoted him saying at the press conference. "We don't plan to help them."