University fo Okahoma-Sigma Alpha Epsilon-Racial Chant

[Kevin]

Generally at OU, the GLOs own their own homes. SAE was different in that they leased that property from the school. In fact, the previous time they were thrown off of campus, the SAE house was used for administrative offices.

The SAE alumni have retained Stephen Jones, who is a "high profile" attorney who generally represents right-wing causes. They have a decent 1st Amendment claim--one that I'd personally like to see brought to federal court to possibly make some precedent. It would be nice to know the limits of power of public schools to punish conduct or speech they deem offensive.

There's probably a really solid suit for violations of the landlord-tenant act, what with OU summarily booting SAE from their rental property.

[KDCat]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Generally at OU, the GLOs own their own homes. SAE was different in that they leased that property from the school. In fact, the previous time they were thrown off of campus, the SAE house was used for administrative offices.

The SAE alumni have retained Stephen Jones, who is a "high profile" attorney who generally represents right-wing causes. They have a decent 1st Amendment claim--one that I'd personally like to see brought to federal court to possibly make some precedent. It would be nice to know the limits of power of public schools to punish conduct or speech they deem offensive.

There's probably a really solid suit for violations of the landlord-tenant act, what with OU summarily booting SAE from their rental property.

I think they have a good free speech claim, and the men who were evicted but not on the bus have a good freedom of association claim, as well. They were summarily ordered to move out of their housing because they associate with racists. They probably also have a good due process claim -- even if the University was within its rights to boot them, they were entitled to notice and a hearing before ordered to move out of the house. The men who were expelled may also have a due process claim, if they did not have notice and hearing before being expelled.

I love the idea of landlord/tenant claims.

Oklahoma administration has handled this VERY badly. Those men were racists assholes, but they have a legal right to be racist assholes. There's not much a state university should do about it. If they had let SAE pull their charter and then went through the correct process to have the men move out of the leased premises, it would be different.

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by KDCat

Oklahoma administration has handled this VERY badly. Those men were racists assholes, but they have a legal right to be racist assholes. There's not much a state university should do about it. If they had let SAE pull their charter and then went through the correct process to have the men move out of the leased premises, it would be different.

Is housing an OU administration issue? I thought SAE HQ pulled the charter prior to the OU administration saying that the members would be "kicked out" of the house.

Regardless, HQs close chapters for "just cause" (sometimes over "free speach" isses) and all members are required to move out of the house asap based on the GLO's policies. So unless each member has a housing lease directly with the university, and not the chapter's housing corporation, how is this any different?

(Note, I'm not a lawyer which is why I'm asking.)

[als463]

I don't agree with what happened at all but, I wonder how far is "too far" when talking about this situation. These young adults who made really stupid choices have now had their phone numbers and addresses posted. Their names are all out there for the world to see and they have been told to leave their fraternity and university. Stupid decision on their part? Sure. Should they be unemployable and not be able to get an education over their stupidity? I'm not sure. I get that they can go to other universities but, what school would want to take on a PR risk like that?

[33girl]

Originally Posted by als463

Should they be unemployable and not be able to get an education over their stupidity?

Yes.

The only way the answer to this question would be anything but yes is if they were 5 or under.

[als463]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Yes.

The only way the answer to this question would be anything but yes is if they were 5 or under.

I'm sorry but, I disagree that their lives should be ruined forever. I won't make excuses and call them boys when they are men but, I think it's a bit over the top to say singing a hateful chant should result in never finishing school or finding sound employment.

[Nanners52674]

Originally Posted by als463

I'm sorry but, I disagree that their lives should be ruined forever. I won't make excuses and call them boys when they are men but, I think it's a bit over the top to say singing a hateful chant should result in never finishing school or finding sound employment.

It's a reality in today's world though. What you put on the Internet is out there forever. Does it suck when someone learns this the hard way? Yes. But honestly we need to find a way to get young adults to care about their online image. We tell that to PNMS all the time. Watch what you post, scrub your social media etc... And as for my personal thoughts, fuck these boys they deserve what they get.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by als463

I'm sorry but, I disagree that their lives should be ruined forever. I won't make excuses and call them boys when they are men but, I think it's a bit over the top to say singing a hateful chant should result in never finishing school or finding sound employment.

Let's be honest, there are plenty of people out there to whom these guys just became great candidates for employment.