http://www.dailygamecock.com/media/p...-1047752.shtml
Greek Web site raises racial concerns
Some upset over 'racist' comments; no disciplinary action planned
By Jess Davis
Staff Writer
Published: Monday, November 7, 2005
What some are calling "racist and obscene" comments from several of USC's fraternity and sorority members on a Web site message board have come under fire from the Office of Student Life and several Greek organizations.
The Web site, fratty.net, gained popularity nationwide for its sarcastic take on Greek life. Categories include "Dressing Frat," "Fratting Like A True Lady," even a "Frat Dictionary." A message board was added to the Web site during summer 2005.
Much of the message board content in question revolves around the Omega Psi Phi fraternity building a house in USC's Greek Village. Some white fraternity and sorority members posted antagonistic messages about the black fraternity moving in to the village.
"I propose throwing a cotton picking party for them when they move in. A thousand pounds of cotton in the front yard. Sure Jesse Jackson will be here in a heart beat, but it will be funny as hell watching them pick it up," an anonymous poster said under the screen name gamecock527.
Jerry Brewer, director of Student Life, was alerted to the message boards by several concerned students. He called a meeting with presidents of each Greek chapter and their advisers last Monday to discuss the message board. At the meeting, Brewer discussed how the Greek leaders could respond to the postings.
"I told the group these were fellow students posting this information and the leadership of the Greek community should let the individuals know this type of behavior is unacceptable," Brewer said.
Since concerns were raised about the postings, several of the fratty.net message board members have de-activated their accounts.
Brewer said that USC has requested the identity of the message board participants from the domain holder, and that he "would like to have a conversation with the individuals who posted this information to express my thoughts and to understand their reasons for posting the information."
Though the message board membership is open to anyone, Brewer said in a prepared statement that "most of the participants (whose comments are in question) do appear to be knowledgeable about the Carolina Greek system, which leads me to believe they are part of our community."
Not all of the messages on the boards were negative towards the Omega Psi Phis; several students spoke out against the racist comments.
"The crude things said on this board are disturbing in this day and age. I guess the anonymity offers the protection to say whatever no matter how outrageous or false. I would hope that the members of the black greek orgs know that not all white greeks feel this way and that there are plenty of people who are very happy for the Omegas," one poster under the screen name eichen said.
Another poster apologized for his comments on the message board and said that he was only joking.
USC is taking no disciplinary action. However, Brewer said the university has "lost a degree of respect for the members of the Greek system due to their comments on this message board."
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