Syracuse University permanently expels fraternity

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Syracuse University has permanently expelled the Theta Tau fraternity from campus after a video showing members using racial slurs and derogatory language came to light last week.

Syracuse Chancellor Kent Syverud made the announcement in a video to students and faculty on Saturday.

“The racist, anti-Semitic, homophobic, ableist and sexist video was part of a Theta Tau sponsored event,” he said. “Syracuse University is a place for people that come from all backgrounds,” he added.

The school initially suspended the engineering fraternity after the university got hold of a video from a private Facebook group showing brothers reciting a racist and anti-Semitic oath.

"I solemnly swear to always have hatred in my heart," a member said referring to blacks, Hispanics and Jews in derogatory terms.

Theta Tau apologized for the video calling it “a satirical sketch of an uneducated, racist, homophobic, misogynist, sexist, ableist and intolerant person."

"The young man playing the part of this character nor the young man being roasted do not hold any of the horrible views espoused as a part of that sketch," they said in a statement.

The video triggered university-wide protests by students demanding action for the hateful words.

Another video released Saturday by Syracuse University's school newspaper, The Daily Orange, shows several presumed Theta Tau members miming a sexual assault of a mentally disabled person. The narrating voice calls it a "light rape that's occurring," when two of the members come over to the person assuming the role of the disabled person and pretend to receive non-consensual oral sex from him.

In addition to the fraternity’s expulsion, Syverud also announced that some students involved would be charged under the university’s office of disciplinary action. Outcomes could result in suspension or expulsion, he said