Representatives of Syracuse University’s Winnick Hillel Center released a statement on Wednesday afternoon in response to Theta Tau’s suspension.

SU’s chapter of Theta Tau was suspended Wednesday morning after the university confirmed it was involved in the creation of online videos showing fraternity members engaging in behaviors that were “extremely racist, anti-Semitic, homophobic, sexist, and hostile to people with disabilities,” Syverud said in a campus-wide email on Wednesday.

“We share the Chancellor’s outrage and concern, and agree that there is no place for this at Syracuse University,” said Jessica Lemons and Rabbi Leah Fein, interim directors of Hillel, in the email. Hillel is a Jewish student center near campus.

Lemons said that she was personally “horrified and disturbed” by a recording of one of the videos, which was obtained and published by The Daily Orange on Wednesday night. She attended a forum at Hendricks Chapel on Wednesday afternoon for students to voice their concerns.

“It was hard to hear as a higher education professional. It was hard to hear as a Jewish woman. It was hurtful to hear that our students are going through these things when they should be coming to campus and they should be getting an education,” Lemons said in an interview.

The video, filmed in Theta Tau’s house, shows a person forcing another person to his knees before asking him to repeat an “oath” including racial slurs.

“I solemnly swear to always have hatred in my heart for n*ggers, sp*cs and most importantly the f*ckin’ k*kes,” the person on his knees repeats.

A forum was organized by students Wednesday night at Hendricks Chapel in response to Theta Tau’s suspension.

Lemons said she was “proud” of the SU community for coming together and discussing concerns. She wants Hillel to be a part of a healing process, and said the center is an “open and welcoming place.”

“We try to come together with different groups on campus in (an) effort to promote intersectionality and unity and inclusion,” she said. “We will continue to do these things, but right now our space is just open.”

Published on April 20, 2018 at 12:28 am

Contact Gabe: gkstern@syr.edu | @gabestern326