Louisiana Tech officials are awaiting the results of an internal Sigma Nu investigation before determining what action the university could take following the circulation of a racist social media video early Sunday morning.
Louisiana Tech Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Dickie Crawford told the Lincoln Parish Journal on Monday that the university is working with student, alumni and national leadership of Sigma Nu as the fraternity investigates the incident.
“They’re in the process of finishing that up and getting that to us,” Crawford said of the fraternity’s report. “And then we’ll go from there. They’ve been very cooperative at this point.”
The video, which circulated on social media Sunday, was recorded outside the Sigma Nu fraternity house near Louisiana Tech’s campus while racist language could be heard being broadcast over a loudspeaker.
The Lincoln Parish Journal has learned that Sigma Nu Fraternity has identified at least one individual involved in the incident.
The Lincoln Parish Journal reached out to Christopher Brenton, national Director of Communications for the Sigma Nu Fraternity, for additional information pertaining to possible actions. Brenton referred to the national organization statement released today condemning the incident and pledging to hold accountable any member found responsible.
“Sigma Nu Fraternity is aware of a video on social media containing foul, reprehensible, and racist language,” the statement said. “Eta Zeta Chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity at Louisiana Tech and the national Fraternity condemn this language and will hold accountable any member found responsible for it.”
The national organization said local and national fraternity leaders will work closely with Louisiana Tech officials to investigate the incident, and said no additional information was available at this time.
Because the incident occurred off university property, any potential criminal investigation or charges would fall under the jurisdiction of the Ruston Police Department rather than Louisiana Tech Police.
A potential charge could be disturbing the peace, although no charges had been announced as of Monday.
Louisiana Tech and the Eta Zeta Chapter of Sigma Nu issued statements Sunday afternoon condemning the incident.
The Sigma Nu chapter called the language “extremely offensive” and “completely contrary to the values and standards of Sigma Nu.” The chapter apologized to those who heard the language that night and those who subsequently saw the video on social media and said it would cooperate fully with the university.
Louisiana Tech called the language “repugnant” and said the university would investigate the incident “fully and swiftly.”
“Those found responsible will be held accountable,” the university said in its statement.
Crawford said Tech’s next step will come after the university receives Sigma Nu’s report.
“We have a student organization committee that would convene to review the report, plus meet with them and take those next steps, whatever that may be, based on their reactions internally and based on what they’re going to do,” Crawford said.
Crawford said Sigma Nu’s leadership has taken responsibility for the incident and has cooperated with university officials.
“They’ve been very cooperative,” Crawford said. “They’ve taken full responsibility for this incident, and they’re not shying away from that.”
What action Louisiana Tech could ultimately take against the recognized student organization remains undetermined.
Crawford said the university has a “full range of possibilities” available when dealing with recognized student organizations but declined to speculate about potential sanctions before Tech receives and reviews Sigma Nu’s report.
“It’s just going to depend on their report and what they do,” Crawford said. “I don’t want to speculate until we see their report and what they’re going to do internally. But we feel very confident they’re taking this very seriously.”
