Old Dominion Sigma Nu Frat Suspended Over Offensive Banners
Old Dominion’s Sigma Nu fraternity has been suspended after hanging what some would call “offensive banners.”
The fall semester was just getting ready to get in full swing at Old Dominion University, with parents dropping off their freshman college students for the first time, when many people started noticing Sigma Nu’s signs.
According to NBC News, the sexually suggestive posters were targeted towards freshman girls and read: “Rowdy And Fun! Hope your baby girl is ready for a good time,” “Freshman daughter drop off” and “Go ahead and drop off mom too.”
While the messages, which were spray painted on white sheets, have since been taken down, pictures of the comments are still circulating on social media, causing an uproar from users who say the signs were a prime example of “rape culture.”
“We’re the driving force of college rape culture and we should be banned from campus” #ODU #RapeCulture pic.twitter.com/fob5fBXMkL
— Heather p. (@nerdbaitplus3) August 22, 2015
The Sigma Nu Fraternity has suspended the Eta Chi Chapter pending an investigation by the university, and said they condemn the “derogatory and demeaning language used on the banners,” according to CNN affiliate WTKR.
“Such language has no place in our Fraternity or within any caring community, such as that of ODU. Any Fraternity member found to be responsible for this reprehensible display will be held accountable by the Fraternity,” Brad Beacham, Sigma Nu Fraternity’s Executive Director, said in a statement.
The University also released a statement regarding their fraternity’s inappropriate banners.
“Messages like the ones displayed yesterday by a few students on the balcony of their private residence are not and will not be tolerated. The moment University staff became aware of these banners, they worked to have them removed. At ODU, we foster a community of respect and dignity and these messages sickened us. They are not representative of our 3,000 faculty and staff, 25,000 students and our 130,000 alumni.
Ours is a community that works actively to promote bystander intervention and takes a stand denouncing violence against women. The ‘It’s on Us’ video is just one example of ODU students’ leadership on this topic.
In addition, the University ensures all students receive education on the prevention of sexual harassment and relationship violence.
Any student found to have violated the code of conduct will be subject to disciplinary action.”
Below is a video, posted on YouTube, of several Old Dominion student leaders responding to the incident, assuring the public that the behavior of the select group of fraternity members was not a representation of their college as a whole.
“Not only do these actions taken by a few individuals undermine the countless efforts at Old Dominion University to prevent sexual assault, they are also unwelcoming, offensive, and unacceptable,” the Student Government Association said in an accompanying statement.
What do you think about Sigma Nu’s banners? Should they be held responsible for their immature and inappropriate actions? Leave your comments below.
[Photo via Twitter]
