The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has restricted the activities of two of its Greek organizations as it investigates an video posted online that shows students using racial slurs.
Tracy Courage, a university spokesman, said the campus Student Service office has been in communication with national chapters of Chi Omega sorority and Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity regarding the incident.
The 14-second video, posted Thursday morning to Facebook by a candidate for Student Government Association president, shows people he identified as members of UALR's Greek community singing along to a song that uses racial slurs.
UALR Chancellor Andrew Rogerson said in a statement the "racially insensitive incident" occurred over the weekend.
"There is no place for racial discrimination at UA Little Rock," Rogerson said. "Upon learning about the incident, the university took immediate steps to begin [an] investigation."
The university's Chi Omega and Pi Kappa Alpha chapters have been restricted in the interim regarding their participation in certain campus programs and activities, Rogerson said.
A statement from the Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity headquarters noted the song by Lil Dicky is a parody but said the language used was "inappropriate and disrespectful" nonetheless.
"The Fraternity understands social events and music are a part of student and adult life; however our conduct at all times should be respectful of others," the statement read.
The university's Chi Omega chapter said it is working with the sorority's executive leadership and UALR officials.
"As a condition of membership, each individual is expected to be respectful of one another and display personal integrity at all times, including on social media," the sorority said.
Information for this article was contributed by Rachel Herzog of Arkansas Online.
NW News on 04/20/2018