OSU Headline News
September 26, 2002
OSU Headlines are produced by OSU Communications Services and sent
out Monday through Friday during the regular semester. Persons may
subscribe by sending an e-mail to
nestorg@okstate.edu and
typing "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line. If you want to get off the
mailing list, send an e-mail to the same address with the
word "UNSUBSCRIBE" in the subject line.
Your news or ideas for OSU Headline News are always welcome. Send
submissions to the email address above for consideration.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------
Alpha Gamma Rho Issues Public Apology for Incident- Three Suspended
From Fraternity
The following letter to the university community was issued today by
Brad Atkinson, President of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity.
On September 20, Alpha Gamma Rho hosted a costume party. Three
individuals not only wore costumes that were racially offensive, but
also exhibited culturally insensitive and completely unacceptable
behavior. As a result of their behavior, the Chapter Adviser has
suspended these individuals from Pi Chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho.
On behalf of the members of Pi Chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho, I wish to
apologize to the entire Oklahoma State University Community. I'm
deeply sorry for the behavior of three of our members. When these
individuals along with their actions were noticed, they were asked to
leave. I'm deeply regretful that this incident has brought
embarrassment to the entire university family and our fraternity by
showing disrespect for the diversity of our students, faculty, and
staff.
I apologize especially to the African-American community at Oklahoma
State University and throughout the state and nation.
This behavior does not represent a point of view that is acceptable
in our fraternity. The entire executive team of Alpha Gamma Rho
officers condemns such behavior. We are taking steps to deal with
this incident and to ensure that it will not happen again. We deserve
the letters of reprimand from both the university and our national
office. We will be asking Dr. Earl Mitchell, Associate Vice President
for Multicultural Affairs, to conduct sensitivity training for the
entire organization.
This incident has been extremely embarrassing for our organization,
but it's also been a wake-up call that we need to recommit ourselves
to the Alpha Gamma Rho covenant to respect the dignity of all
people.