SAE starts "comprehensive investigation of all of our chapters" after OU controversy

Leaders with the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity said they are committed to making sure their organization is inclusive.

Officials also announced investigations into chapters nationwide to ensure instances of racism, like those captured on camera at the OU, are not happening. They made the announcement at a press conference in Chicago Wednesday.

"We want to be thoughtful in this review and hope to have the benefit of the director of diversity and inclusion as we continue this work. I can promise that just as we did with Oklahoma, if we learn of any discrimination or unacceptable behavior currently going on, we will be swift in our response," SAE executive director Blaine Ayers said.

The chapter at OU was pulled last Monday after the video of members reciting a racist chant surfaced.

"The teaching of it (the song), that's part of our investigation currently with the chapters, especially those named in allegations to determine where that may be substantiated, if that is the case, and where that may exist," SAE spokesperson Brandon Weghorst said.

The Director of Diversity and Inclusion Ayers mentioned is a new position, SAE plans to fill in the next couple of weeks. Ayers said, to his knowledge, SAE will be the only major Greek organization with such an executive position.

According to SAE records kept since 2013, nationally only three-percent of new members identified as African American, while 20 percent say they are "not Caucasian."

SAE will also open a hotline allowing people to call in reports of "inappropriate, offensive or illegal behavior" needing attention, anonymously.

"Any calls to this hotline will be taken seriously and investigated by SAE. As with our hazing hotline that was established over a decade ago, we will investigate every call," Weghorst said.

Weghorst also addressed the process going forward for members who were part of SAE at OU. Leaders are starting fraternity-outline trial proceedings for this case.

"As part of what our process spells out, in our fraternity laws, is that there is a fair and just way to handle those and each of those members from that chapter - whether or not they were on that particular bus - but the entire roster of members will have the opportunity to have his case presented and to be represented by the trial commission at those proceedings," he said.