Syracuse University decided to suspend one of its fraternities after a video of Theta Tau surfaced, showing members of the frat exhibiting “extremely racist" and homophobic behavior, according to ABC. The school’s independent newspaper The Daily Orange, made the video public on Wednesday.
In the footage, members of the engineering fraternity are seen using racist and sexist slurs, among other offensive language, while also pretending to engage in sexual behavior with one another. In a statement released on Wednesday, university chancellor Kent Syverud said the behavior was "extremely troubling and disturbing.”
"Videos showing this offensive behavior have surfaced online. They include words and behaviors that are extremely racist, anti-semitic, homophobic, sexist, and hostile to people with disabilities," Syverud said in the statement, per ABC. "The conduct is deeply harmful and contrary to the values and community standards we expect of our students. 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 university has not released the footage, citing a pending investigation, but the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities has suspended the organization, halting all of its future activities. The video was originally posted to a Facebook group called “Tau of Theta Tau” and, according to The Daily Orange, was filmed at the Theta Tau frat house.
In response to the video, which can be partly viewed on The Daily Orange’s site, some students held a protest on campus, requesting that the video be released.
According to The Daily Orange, Theta Tau is the fourth fraternity to be suspended by the university this academic year.
