Sigma Alpha Epsilon Confirms Reports of Racist Behavior at Other Chapters, Will Open Investigations

The Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) national office is going to investigate potentially several instances of racism at individual chapters, such as the recent incident at the University of Oklahoma (OU).

At the center of the controversy is a chant that declared black students would never be welcomed to join the fraternity. Other than a video of this chant reaching the Internet, what many found appalling was the sheet number of people who seemed to know the words and the enthusiasm with which they were chanting.

Speaking with ABC News, OU alum Will James, an African-American member of the school's Kappa SAE chapter from 2001 to 2005, said he had never heard the chant before the video appeared online. He said he even had access to an official SAE songbook once and nothing in it was offensive or demeaning to anyone.

"I hope it didn't start where I was," James told ABC News, referring to the racist chant's origin. "But I really don't know.

"When I was there, I don't believe anyone would have stood for anything like that."

SAE has been updating a statement on their national office's website to include their comments on any recent developments in the situation. Last updated Monday night, the fraternity said they fielded reports of racist behavior at other individual chapters.

"Several other incidents with chapters or members have been brought to the attention of the headquarters staff and leaders, and each of those instances will be investigated for further action," the statement reads. "Some reports have alleged that the racist chant in the video is part of a Sigma Alpha Epsilon tradition, which is completely false."

Matthew Hughey, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Connecticut, told Inside Higher Ed he studies situations like this one. Based on his findings, he said, similar incidents most likely occur frequently when no one is looking. As the voyeuristic nature of the recent video would suggest, the people on the bus thought no one was looking.

"When we have those bus rides to date parties, we would sing our songs from the book and what we picked up from tradition," James told ABC News. "Everyone knew the words and sang along."