Looking back at a crisis, one year later
One year after Sigma Chi's controversial "Halloween in the 'Hood" party, little has changed
"There is certainly more to discuss on the issue of what is offensive," said Dorothy Sheppard, associate dean of students.
"We need to provide whatever outreach we can provide and be as proactive as we can be to promote discussion. I don't want students to be afraid to say anything for fear that what they say will be viewed as offensive. I'd like to have a safe environment where students feel like they can have open discussions about differences," Sheppard said.
In the weeks and months immediately following the incident, Sigma Chi worked with the BSU and others to try to raise awareness for the racial issues faced by the campus, according to Connell.
"This incident has made us a lot more aware of each other," said Rob Turning, coordinator of Greek Life.
"The IFC-type groups are more aware of the historically black groups, who are in turn more aware of Asian interest groups. This event has brought every group together. It's opened their eyes to the diversity in Greek life."
"I can't speak for all the Greeks, but it seems that Sigma Chi is generally interested in reaching out to the community and making sure that their programming in the future is very positive and brings students together rather than dividing them," Sheppard said.
"The events and resulting punishment have had a profound impact on Sigma Chi," Connell said.
"Since the incident, we have done our best to work with the administration and community to try to have as positive an impact on those around us as possible since the events of last year."
The University placed Sigma Chi on social probation through Jan. 5, 2008. The probation required the fraternity to hold eight cultural events.
"We've done our best to tighten our bonds with both the University and the community," Connell said.
In the past year, as part of its cultural events, Sigma Chi worked with Delta Xi Phi, the multicultural sorority, and SASH to bring to campus an Indian comedian, who addressed the effects of race on young people.
"We need to provide whatever outreach we can provide and be as proactive as we can be to promote discussion. I don't want students to be afraid to say anything for fear that what they say will be viewed as offensive. I'd like to have a safe environment where students feel like they can have open discussions about differences," Sheppard said.
In the weeks and months immediately following the incident, Sigma Chi worked with the BSU and others to try to raise awareness for the racial issues faced by the campus, according to Connell.
"This incident has made us a lot more aware of each other," said Rob Turning, coordinator of Greek Life.
"The IFC-type groups are more aware of the historically black groups, who are in turn more aware of Asian interest groups. This event has brought every group together. It's opened their eyes to the diversity in Greek life."
"I can't speak for all the Greeks, but it seems that Sigma Chi is generally interested in reaching out to the community and making sure that their programming in the future is very positive and brings students together rather than dividing them," Sheppard said.
"The events and resulting punishment have had a profound impact on Sigma Chi," Connell said.
"Since the incident, we have done our best to work with the administration and community to try to have as positive an impact on those around us as possible since the events of last year."
The University placed Sigma Chi on social probation through Jan. 5, 2008. The probation required the fraternity to hold eight cultural events.
"We've done our best to tighten our bonds with both the University and the community," Connell said.
In the past year, as part of its cultural events, Sigma Chi worked with Delta Xi Phi, the multicultural sorority, and SASH to bring to campus an Indian comedian, who addressed the effects of race on young people.
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Smita
posted 11/01/07 @ 10:11 PM EST
I don't understand why this is still such a big issue or "crisis". I think what's done is done. They learned their lesson. It's over. Time to move on. (Continued…)
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