By CARMEN FANNING
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Fort Hays State University\u2019s Sigma Chi Zeta Tau chapter is currently under investigation by FHSU for multiple allegations of racial attacks against former members.
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\u201cYou can\u2019t get justice unless you speak up,\u201d said Jarad Dean, former student and member of Fort Hays State\u2019s Sigma Chi Zeta Tau chapter.
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Dean joined the Sigma Chi fraternity in the fall of 2017, and his experience fell short of the mission the chapter<\/a> stood for, which includes developing leaders through friendship, justice, and learning and looking for men of good character, students of fair ability and congenially disposed men who possess good morals. Dean recently wrote a letter<\/a> describing his time within the Sigma Chi fraternity. The contents of the letter are graphic and unsettling. For the span of Dean\u2019s time in Sigma Chi, he said he was repeatedly called the \u201cHouse N—–r,\u201d and referred to as the derogatory nickname \u201cBeanabus.\u201d Dean said he also overheard a list of five reasons why he allegedly didn\u2019t belong in Sigma Chi because of his race. According to Dean, the comments were made by past and current members. The events allegedly happened during 2017. \u201cIf this happens to someone else, I\u2019m not going to let anything go,\u201d Dean said about coming forward. \u201cIt\u2019s not about me. I didn\u2019t care until another student went through what I went through and now women are being affected, too.\u201d It did happen again, allegedly — just recently to another student of color. The student has requested his name remain anonymous; however, the incidents that allegedly occurred to him were based on race. That is when Dean decided to take matters into his own hands and seek some form of justice by writing the letter disclosing the injustices he and other people of color face within Sigma Chi. The student said the first instance of racial attacks against him came during pledgeship at initiation. Sigma Chi\u2019s initiate ranking system is based on moral character, GPA and campus involvement, and according to the student, he was ranked second to last despite having a high GPA, being highly involved on campus and being a respectful individual. He said other members with alleged DUI\u2019s and who had gotten into fights with active members were ranked ahead of him. \u201cI was in the chapter for five months,\u201d he said. \u201cDespite me bringing up the issues of racism with the fraternity, nothing happened. Over the five months, I lost connection with the fraternity that I didn\u2019t even know when the next initiation was.\u201d The student accidentally walked in during the next initiation with non-members of the fraternity — which, according to the student, is against chapter rules — resulting in getting blackballed. \u201cBlackballing a member is only necessary when they are a harm to others or property. I was neither,\u201d he said. \u201cInstead of going through the blackball trial, I said there is no need for that I\u2019m dropping.\u201d He said the chapter still blackballed him. After his own experiences with racism related to Sigma Chi and then hearing about another student facing the same issues, Dean decided to write a letter to Sigma Chi headquarters in May 2020 describing his experience within the fraternity. He received no response. He reached out a second time to Sigma Chi\u2019s national Associate Executive Director Bill Scott in June 2020. Scott\u2019s response came in August. Scott met with Dean and informed him this has been a problem for multiple Sigma Chi fraternities. When asked if there would be any consequences for the behavior of Sigma Chi perpetrators, Scott said there was nothing he could do and because of COVID-19 protocol, they would not send someone to investigate. With no progress, Dean reached out to the school directly in September 2020 hoping his letter would incite a change. He was told nothing could be done unless he filed an official report. \u201cLet me give Sigma Chi the benefit of the doubt. I\u2019m not going to pursue it until I see what they\u2019ve done,\u201d Dean said. Before filing an official report, he met with members of the fraternity once more. He was told his claims were \u201cminor incidences,\u201d and members refused to put action toward any form of change. Tiger Media Network made several requests to FHSU\u2019s Sigma Chi Zeta Tau chapter for comment but received no response. Dean also reached out to Demetrius Chance, founder of Can You See Me Inc. and active member of FHSU Black Student Union, because of his history of advocating for Black voices in the Hays community. Chance has openly expressed his concerns about these issues throughout the Hays community during the past months. \u201cIf we don\u2019t stand up and address these issues, they are bound to be repeated,\u201d Chance said. \u201cIf we want change in our schools, businesses and community, we must speak up and stand firm against these devilish and derogatory attacks.\u201d Chance was also made aware of Dean\u2019s letter, prompting him to meet with members of Sigma Chi to further investigate the accusations. \u201cIf in fact there has been a history of these situations on or around campus, then it\u2019s time for someone to stand up and speak out against it.\u201d Chance said. Sigma Chi President Jon Beck was aware of the meeting but allegedly chose to sit outside the building while Bryson Homman, vice president of FHSU\u2019s Student Government Association and vice president of Sigma Chi, met with Chance. Homman expressed his deep concern about the issues during their meeting, according to Chance. Chance and other members of the campus community also attended the April 1 Student Government Association meeting<\/a> to voice their concerns about racial injustices they have faced, as well as bring attention to Dean\u2019s letter. \u201cEvery time a White person calls a Black person a n—-r, they are spitting in the face of Trayvon Martin\u2019s mother, the family of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd because they are perpetuating the same ideology that corrupt cops across this nation carry daily,\u201d Chance said. \u201cWith that ideology, police feel that it\u2019s OK to beat, attack or even kill Black people because, at the end of the day, they are nothing but n—-rs anyways. They don\u2019t really matter.\u201d Greek life officials at FHSU said they could not offer a comment on the situation since it was out of their jurisdiction. According to Dr. Teresa Clounch, Student Life\/Title IX Officer\/Senior Diversity officer, FHSU is doing a thorough investigation on how to proceed next. \u201cWhen a report is sent to me, I gather that information and first make sure that that person is OK, that they feel safe in their space,\u201d Clounch said. \u201cAfter gathering that report, then I’m making sure we have a proper investigation.\u201d After meeting with a hearing officer, a student will be referred to Amy Schaffer, FHSU\u2019s compliance officer and lead investigator in Student Affairs. Additionally, there is a pool of investigators the university uses to assure no one involved in the incident is connected and they can remain neutral. \u201cThey conduct that investigation and after getting the report from the individual, then individuals are asked to say that there\u2019s been a report filed and we ask them to come in to meet with the investigators for an interview,\u201d Clounch said. \u201cAfter that whole report of information has been brought together, then Amy then gives the report to the hearing officers.\u201d Clounch emphasized the needs of the individuals involved are the most important aspect throughout the whole process. The university will support them in whatever needs that be, whether it be fiscally or emotionally. Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Joey Linn is the final appeal in this process. \u201cThey keep me at an arm’s length for a reason, and my arm\u2019s length is because I\u2019m the final appeal,\u201d Linn said. \u201cFor me to stay unbiased, I can\u2019t get into the nitty-gritty of the process.\u201d Linn said in his 32 years of being part of FHSU that this isn\u2019t who the university is as a Tiger family and that students can all do better. \u201cIt is challenging because we live in a society that has allowed these behaviors that we discussed Thursday [at the SGA meeting] to become acceptable, and those who don\u2019t agree or have a different perspective, are generally shut down, attacked or ignored,\u201d Chance said. \u201cMany people in this community don\u2019t even know these things are happening because it doesn\u2019t directly impact them.\u201d The Tiger Pact states: \u201cI am a Tiger. I belong to a strong unique family, who strives for greatness and success. I instill integrity and confidence within others as well as myself. I incorporate honesty and responsibility in all I do. I am the future.\u201d Institutional racism runs deep within fraternity culture, according to reports. Dating as far back as the 19th century, Greek life has been built on racist ideals. According to the academic article<\/a>, \u201cDismantling Systemic Organizational Oppression: Making Institutional Commitment to Culturally Based Fraternities & Sororities at Predominantly White Institutions,\u201d by Association of Fraternity\/Sorority Advisor, \u201cThe earliest fraternities were founded on or in proximity to campuses as student life evolved. Given the racist and patriarchal norms that informed society at the formation of these groups, little investment was made in groups that were not white, wealthy and male.\u201d Greek life originated as an elitist organization only allowing rich white men to join. After the liberation of women, sororities were formed. While there are no exclusions based on race in Greek life, the history of its prejudices runs deep, the article states. The same Advisor article goes on to say, \u201cthat historical investment in whiteness at the expense of others undergirds much of the failures we see on college and university campuses today\u2026.Historically\/predominantly white fraternities and sororities were a manifestation of investments in racism and whiteness.\u201d \u201cI do believe that this campus can get there one day, but it is going to take a collective effort from everyone,\u201d Chance said. \u201cStudents are going to have to work with administration, and administration is going to have to tackle these issues aggressively and let it be known that this type of behavior will no longer be accepted or hidden, but will be dealt with and addressed no matter who the attacker or student organization is.\u201d According to Clounch, the university is looking through the lens of learning from every experience and making sure people are educated and that the school does everything it can to investigate each report brought to light. \u201cWhen we are aware of it then we are able to do something about it. I ask folks to trust me in that I\u2019m going to take everything seriously and that I\u2019m going to move through the process once I\u2019m aware of what\u2019s taken place,\u201d Clounch said. \u201cIn the time that I\u2019ve been here, I know that either I or Dr. In one way or another, Dean said justice must be served. \u201cSince I can\u2019t get the justice I want personally with having him (the president of Sigma Chi) removed, I want them kicked off campus,\u201d Dean said. He said although this has been a difficult process, he doesn\u2019t say the things he does out of spite. \u201cI don\u2019t want them kicked off campus permanently because at the end of the day, I really do believe in what they [Sigma Chi] believe,\u201d Dean said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chance said the travesties at the national level are now starting to have an impact at local levels, too. \u201cThe university has to take a stronger stance against this type of behavior. It\u2019s one thing to speak out when a national crisis — like the death of George Floyd — occurs. It\u2019s another when the university addresses the issues that are happening right in their backyard,\u201d Chance said. \u201cThere needs to be harsher punishments for racist attackers and a complete change in the culture that is welcoming to all students of all demographics.\u201d According to the latest Census information about Ellis County, African-Americans make up 1.4% of the population. It can be difficult to understand what people of color face from a predominantly white population that makes up 94.5% of the town\u2019s population<\/a>. If you or someone you know has experienced racial attacks, assault, etc., contact university officials. Persons can report a concern at https:\/\/fhsu.edu\/reporting<\/a>, or by calling the University Police or Hays Police at 911.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Persons can contact Amy Schaffer<\/a>, FHSU Compliance Officer, at (785) 628-4175 or alschaffer@fhsu.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Compliance Office offers a Confidential Reporting Line: (785) 628-4033 By CARMEN FANNING Fort Hays State University\u2019s Sigma Chi Zeta Tau chapter is currently under investigation by FHSU for multiple allegations of racial attacks against… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":142,"featured_media":59472,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3397,3398,11],"tags":[14170,13422,14145,6059,11093,106,14169,14113,5578,11730,13300,290],"class_list":["post-59475","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-area-news","category-campus-news","category-news","tag-bill-scott","tag-carmen-fanning","tag-demetrius-chance","tag-dr-joey-linn","tag-dr-teresa-clounch","tag-fort-hays-state-university","tag-jarad-dean","tag-racism","tag-sigma-chi","tag-sigma-chi-fraternity","tag-sigma-chi-zeta-tau","tag-tmn"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/My-Post.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59475","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=59475"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59475\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":59477,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59475\/revisions\/59477"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/59472"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=59475"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=59475"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=59475"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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Kriley have spoken to members of the fraternity community about diversity equity and inclusion. I know either of us have talked to Greek 101, the newest members, and we have talked to them about other aspects of Greek life and have done diversity equity and inclusion discussions with individuals.\u201d
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