SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Syracuse University permanently expelled the Theta Tau fraternity over an offensive video that surfaced this past week.

The university announced the expulsion on its website Saturday afternoon, three days after officials learned of the video, which shows brothers of the professional engineering fraternity acting out a racist, anti-Semitic oath.

The video, first published by The Daily Orange student newspaper, depicts pledges of the fraternity performing a "roast" of their brothers. Fraternity leaders said in an apology the "skit" was intended as a parody of a conservative, Republican brother.

In the performance, brothers take an oath to "Tri Kappa": "I solemnly swear to have hatred in my heart for n*ggers, sp*cs and most importantly the f*ckin' k*kes."

Chancellor Kent Syverud called the fraternity members' behavior "disgusting" in a video update on the university's investigation. He previously condemned the brothers for behavior he said was "extremely racist, anti-Semitic, homophobic, sexist and hostile to people with disabilities."

Message from Chancellor Kent Syverud from Syracuse University News on Vimeo.

Syverud said the university was pursuing an investigation into individuals responsible for the video "with speed and with vigor." He said campus safety officials had performed 38 interviews so far, beginning two hours after receiving the video.

According to the SU's Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, a student organization's expulsion means "permanent separation" from the university, its program and facilities. It is the "most severe disciplinary action," the office's website said.

Expulsion is an upgrade from the interim suspension the university put Theta Tau on Wednesday after learning of the video. A suspension allows officials to temporarily remove rights or privileges while a conduct case is pending, according to university policy.

Syverud said the university immediately halted all Theta Tau activities after learning the video was part of a fraternity-sponsored event.

The chancellor said he expected to provide an update on Monday, after he receives recommendations for individual disciplinary charges and an estimated length of time for the student judicial process.

"The students have rights in this process and they will be observed," Syverud said, as part of a "swift and fair conclusion."

No one answered the door Saturday afternoon at the Theta Tau house at 1105 Harrison St. in Syracuse. A Department of Public Safety car has been stationed outside the house since Wednesday's protests in the vicinity.

Officials at the national headquarters for the Theta Tau fraternity could not immediately be reached for comment.

The inflammatory video rocked the Syracuse University campus when it surfaced Wednesday.

Students protested and attended gatherings. They demanded changes to the university's priorities and the way people of color and minorities are treated at the school. They questioned whether SU is welcoming, accessible and affordable to students of all backgrounds.

"We have a lot of work to do," Syverud said. "We know this issue extends beyond one video and one fraternity."

He pledged a top-down review of SU's entire Greek system and other steps.

Read our continuing coverage of Theta Tau's suspension

Reporter Chris Libonati contributed to this story.



Public Affairs Reporter Julie McMahon covers courts, government and other issues affecting taxpayers. She can be reached anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-412-1992