Racial Incident Leads to Suspension, Investigation of WashU Fraternity

Editor's note: Ryan Martin is enrolled in classes at Washington University in St. Louis. 

A fraternity at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) is under investigation as allegations surface of a racially offensive activity. 

Student Life, the independent campus newspaper, reports that the students photographed a group of black students who were eating together. They then started singing rap lyrics and used the N-word, the paper reports. 

Sharon Stahl, vice chancellor for students, emailed the entire WashU community about the incident just after 2 p.m.

"The university received reports that late last evening in the Bears Den on the South 40, new members of one of the university’s fraternities, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, engaged in racially offensive behavior directed toward a group of students of color," Stahl wrote in her email. 

"It saddens me and it is unacceptable when any member of our community is a victim of discrimination, ignorance or hatred," Stahl wrote. "The reported behavior is totally incongruous with the university’s firm belief in the power of diversity." 

An investigation is now underway, and the fraternity's activities have been suspended in the interim, Stahl wrote. 

The entirety of the email is listed below:

Dear members of the Washington University community, 

Core to our values as an institution is a firm commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment that not only recognizes but also celebrates the diversity of our students, faculty and staff.  When we fail to meet those values in any way, we are all affected. 

The university received reports that late last evening in the Bears Den on the South 40, new members of one of the university’s fraternities, Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE), engaged in racially offensive behavior directed toward a group of students of color. 

This morning, I called together a group of university leaders after hearing about the reports and we have already set in motion a thorough investigation of the incident and all those involved. In addition, all chapter activities of SAE have been suspended until the investigation is complete. 

Just as important, we need to listen to each other about what happened and recognize the pain and disappointment that occur when any of us fail to live up to the expectations of living, studying and working here at Washington University. Therefore, as an important first step, members of my team and I will be reaching out to a number of student group leaders, including those from the Association of Black Students and Student Union’s Diversity Affairs Council, to begin this dialogue. 

It saddens me and it is unacceptable when any member of our community is a victim of discrimination, ignorance or hatred. The reported behavior is totally incongruous with the university’s firm belief in the power of diversity. We are a community that values everyone, and this kind of behavior is an insult and an affront to us all. We are stronger as an institution and a community when we draw on our differences to learn and grow.

If you have any concerns or have more information about the incident, please contact my office directly at 935-3359. 

Sharon Stahl
Vice Chancellor for Students