SU permanently expels Theta Tau chapter

UPDATED: April 21, 2018 at 4:08 p.m.

Chancellor Kent Syverud announced on Saturday that the Syracuse University chapter of Theta Tau had been permanently expelled from campus.

He also said individual students could be expelled or suspended as a result of Theta Tau’s involvement in the creation of a video Syverud called “racist, anti-Semitic, homophobic, ableist and sexist.”

The fraternity’s expulsion, announced in a video sent in a campus-wide email, came three days after Syverud notified SU of Theta Tau’s suspension. Syverud said the expulsion followed “immediate action” taken by the university within two hours of receiving and authenticating the video. SU refused to release the video, but The Daily Orange obtained a recording of the video and posted it on its website Wednesday.

The university initially announced Theta Tau’s suspension on Wednesday.

The chancellor said on Saturday that the investigation of students involved in the video has been pursued with “speed and with vigor.” Since Wednesday, SU’s Department of Public Safety has interviewed 38 people and will interview more in the next few days, he added.

DPS will begin recommending charges and making referrals to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities by the end of the weekend, Syverud added.  

“The students have rights in this process and they will be observed,” the chancellor said. “Outcomes could include suspension or expulsion from Syracuse University.”

The chancellor said the process can include a hearing for each student, and individuals could appeal the outcome of the hearing to the University Appeals Board. Robert Hradsky, SU’s dean of students, will make the final decision on the appeals.

Syverud said he has asked Hradsky to report on Monday how long the judicial process will take, and to move “expeditiously and fairly.” The university will provide another update to the community on Monday, he added.

The chancellor said the expulsion of the fraternity was the “first and most critical” step, but that “this issue extends beyond one fraternity and one video.”

In the video sent on Saturday, Syverud said the university began its review of the SU Greek system. The review was announced on Thursday.

Syverud also said he would “transform” the first-year forum in an effort to create a “more inclusive” campus environment. He did not provide details on specific changes to the first-year forum.