EDITOR’S NOTE: This story contains some racially charged and graphic content. Viewer discretion is advised.

WASHINGTON (WNEW/AP) — An investigation is underway after a racist email alluding to rape, allegedly sent by a fraternity member at the University of Maryland last year, surfaced this week.

This comes just days after a video that caught members of Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s University of Oklahoma chapter singing a song that used a derogatory term for black people and referenced lynching went viral online. In that case, two students were expelled and university President David Boren ordered the chapter house shut down.

School officials’ acknowledgement of the email also comes a day after officials at another University System of Maryland campus confirmed they had expelled two students for code-of-conduct violations. The discipline followed an investigation into sexual assault allegations at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

University of Maryland President Wallace Loh has released a statement on the email, which used derogatory terms for black, Indian and Asian women.

“On Tuesday, March 10, the University of Maryland became aware of an email dated January 2014, 15 months ago,” Loh says.

“The vulgar language in the email expresses views that are reprehensible to our campus community. We immediately met with the individual involved and a University investigation is currently underway, led by the Office of Civil Rights and Sexual Misconduct. We are in contact with the University chapter of Kappa Sigma and they have taken swift and decisive action in this matter. At their request, the University has committed to provide educational training on diversity and respect for the entire fraternity.”

Kappa Sigma also released a statement via Facebook.

“Kappa Sigma Fraternity was just made aware of an email sent some 14 months ago by a University of Maryland student to six other individuals containing racially and sexually suggestive language,” the statement said.

“At the time of the incident, this individual was an undergraduate member of Kappa Sigma. Upon learning of the email, the individual was immediately suspended, pending an investigation. The individual subsequently submitted a letter of resignation from Kappa Sigma. The undergraduate chapter at the University of Maryland is also presently engaging in proceedings to formally expel the individual from Kappa Sigma.”

Kappa Sigma says the language and views in the email are “inexcusable and are in stark contrast to the values” of the fraternity.

The content of the email references rush week, when students pledge fraternities and sororities. The email’s author tells the six recipients to ban certain ethnic groups from the fraternity’s parties using racial slurs and sexually aggressive language. At one point in the email, the author also denounces consent for sexual activity.

The letter, which has been edited for profanity, is below.

(click to enlarge)



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