Sigma Alpha Epsilon is hiring a 'director of diversity and inclusion' following racist chant scandal

Sigma Alpha Epsilon
(Image credit: Facebook.com/Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity)

On Wednesday, Sigma Alpha Epsilon revealed the measures it's taking in response to a scandal at its University of Oklahoma chapter, where members of the fraternity were videotaped singing a chant filled with racist slurs. The Oklahoma chapter was shut down, and two SAE members were expelled from the school.

SAE will become the first major Greek organization in North America to hire a director of diversity and inclusion. The fraternity will also create a national, anonymous hotline for SAE members and classmates to report inappropriate behavior.

In addition, the fraternity will require all members and staff to undergo "mandatory diversity education," Time notes. SAE will also create a national advisory committee on diversity and inclusion.

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"Today, I want to apologize on behalf of our fraternity for the pain this situation has caused," SAE executive director Blaine Ayers said in a statement. "The words were offensive and harmful, and we now must begin the task of seeking forgiveness and taking steps to ensure this never happens again."

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Meghan DeMaria

Meghan DeMaria is a staff writer at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked for USA Today and Marie Claire.