The fraternity at the center of an uproar over an offensive video said in an apologetic statement on Friday that the activities were intended as a “satirical sketch” depicting an uneducated, intolerant person.

“Each semester our new members are given the opportunity to write and act out a skit, in order to roast the active brothers,” representatives of the Syracuse chapter of Theta Tau said on its website. “This event was never intended to be centered around racism or hate. This year, one of these brothers is a conservative Republican, and the new members roasted him by playing the part of a racist conservative character …

“It was a satirical sketch of an uneducated, racist, homophobic, misogynist, sexist, ableist and intolerant person. The young man playing the part of this character nor the young man being roasted do not hold any of the horrible views espoused as a part of that sketch.”

In the video, members are heard saying: “I solemnly swear to always have hatred in my heart for niggers, spics and most importantly the fuckin’ kikes.”

The Daily Orange, the paper of the university in upstate New York, noted that in other related videos clips the members can be heard making references to the Holocaust with phrases such as “You fuckin’ kikes, get in the fuckin’ showers!” as well as homophobic and ableist slurs. “He’s drooling out of his mouth because he’s retarded in a wheelchair,” one says.

The chapter said it was embarrassed, disappointed and ashamed, adding: “Anyone of color or of any marginalized group who has seen this video has every right to be angry and upset with the despicable contents of that video.”

On Friday morning, a group of students demanding change confronted the university chancellor, Kent Syverud, who has called the video racist, antisemitic, homophobic, sexist and hostile to people with disabilities.

“I wish I could say that this is behavior that is isolated to Greek life, but it’s not,” Rachel Ameen, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences told the Daily Orange at the protest. “This is an issue with the underlying bigotry that exists at this university.”

Syverud said on the school’s website that it would conduct “a top to bottom review” of its fraternity and sorority policies, activities and culture, and many aspects of college life will include diversity and inclusion training.

Syverud said he would be consulting with a wide range of students, faculty and staff on Friday and over the weekend.