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[h=4]OU President: More students likely to face discipline[/h]The University of Oklahoma continued its quest for healing Wednesday while a national fraternity was trying to determine if racist chants such as the one that made national headlines in Norman is pervasive at
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A Dallas teenager named Parker Rice came forward to admit he was one of the SAE fraternity members in a racist video. He apologized and said the song was "taught" to them. That revelation may indicate systemic racism in the fraternity. VPC
University of Oklahoma students march to the now closed Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house during a rally in Norman, Okla., Tuesday, March 10, 2015.(Photo: Sue Ogrocki, AP)
University of Oklahoma President David Boren said Wednesday he expects more students will be disciplined and perhaps expelled as the school pursues its investigation into racist chanting by members of a campus fraternity seen in a viral video.
Boren said on CNN late Wednesday that the school is "collecting names and information'' of others that may have participated in the racist chants by members of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He cited officers and leaders of the fraternity as possible targets of the university's internal investigation.
"Once we get all of that information together and analyze it, and also look at the law, I do anticipate we'll be taking additional appropriate action soon,'' he said.
He said that could involve suspensions or more expulsions.
Boren, a former governor and U.S. senator, moved swiftly to expel two students for their roles in the racist video and shut down the campus chapter of the SAE fraternity after a cellphone video of the chanting aboard a party bus Saturday was posted online over the weekend.
Defending his tough sanctions, Boren rejected suggestions that the words of the students, however ugly, constituted free speech protected by the U.S. Constitution.
"I'm a great believer in free speech,'' Boren said. But in this case, he said, the words and actions were "creating a very hostile educational environment,'' and cited provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 making that illegal.
"I think we've struck the appropriate balance here,'' Boren said. "...We have to take action to snuff it out right away.''
Boren has drawn mostly positive reviews for his decisive action after the video, shot Saturday, went viral Sunday. "It's heartening to see how swiftly and unequivocally you and your university have responded to this. Thank you," tweeted Dave Warren, an Indiana University doctoral student.
There have been other signs of healing. One of the people most hurt by the fallout, Howard Dixon -- the chapter's black chef -- apparently is pondering multiple job offers. SAE said they were helping Dixon find a job, and Boren offered him a job with the university's Food Services. Dixon is also the beneficiary of an online fundraiser that had raised $60,000 Wednesday.
One of the expelled students and the parents of the other quickly issued public apologies. "I am deeply sorry for what I did Saturday night," Parker Rice, 19, said in a statement Tuesday. "It was wrong and reckless. I made a horrible mistake by joining into the singing and encouraging others to do the same."
Brody and Susan Pettit said their son, Levi, "made a horrible mistake and will live with the consequences forever.''
USA TODAY
Censorship can't cure racism of Oklahoma frat: Column
Both students, however, said they had been taught the song. Boren said he did not believe the song originated on OU's campus.
Bill Powers, the president of the University of Texas at Austin, said the school's dean of students was investigating rumors that a similar song was sung at the SAE chapter there, WFAA-TV in Dallas-Fort Worth reported.
SAE's national headquarters distanced itself from the chant, which includes a racial slur, contends that African-Americans will never be allowed in the fraternity and makes reference to lynching.
"The national fraternity does not teach such a racist, hateful chant, and this chant is not part of any education or training," SAE said in a statement. "Our investigation has found very likely that the men learned the song from fellow chapter members, which reiterates why Sigma Alpha Epsilon did not hesitate to close the chapter completely because of the culture that may have been fostered in the group."
The fraternity, which has a creed entitled "The True Gentleman," said it is working with members of the African-American community and others to address the need for training, awareness and resources on cultural and diversity issues. SAE acknowledge that the OU video was not the first time its chapters have been accused of racial insensitivity or worse.
"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," SAE said in a statement. "Some of the allegations refer to incidents, which Sigma Alpha Epsilon acknowledges, from more than 20 years ago.
"Although we cannot change the past, we can learn from the present and alter the future."
Some of the activities were not far in the past. In December, SAE's Clemson University chapter was suspended for holding a "Cripmas" party at which some members wore low-slung pants, bandanas and other gang-associated apparel.
In 2013, Washington University in St. Louis suspended its SAE chapter amid allegations that fraternity pledges were hurling racial slurs at black students at the school.
Boren said the investigation into the video was continuing. When the identities of others involved is confirmed, they will face "appropriate disciplinary action," he said.
SAE said it had suspended all OU chapter members from the fraternity and has started the process of formal expulsion.
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