Jake Pulliam, an Oklahoma State student who allegedly posted a racist Snapchat, has been removed from OSU’s chapter of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.
Pulliam reportedly posted a Snapchat story with the caption “Bodak Black N****** on Monday, January 15, which was Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Ival Gregory, Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs at Oklahoma State University, confirmed Pulliam’s dismissal in an email to The O’Colly, Oklahoma State’s student newspaper. Oklahoma State University president Burns Hargis released a statement regarding the incident on Wednesday, January 17, condemning Pulliam’s behavior. Hargis said the university met with Pulliam and removed him from his position in residential life.
https://twitter.com/OSU_Afro_Am/status/953501419444883456
This is the second racist incident involving a fraternity or sorority member this week, as University of Alabama sorority sister Harley Barber was kicked out of her Alpha Phi sorority and expelled from the university.
Gregory, Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs at OSU, said that “It is my understanding that action took place on the evening of January 16, 2018, once the fraternity leadership was aware of the allegations. That sort of behavior is inexcusable and not acceptable in any civilized community.”
OSU President Hargis also released a full statement, saying:
“It is a shame he would exercise his right of free speech in a hurtful and insensitive way. It is especially reprehensible that this occurred as our nation celebrated the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King.
Intolerance and discrimination of any person or group is not acceptable on the Oklahoma State University campus. “Offensive, hurtful language only seeks to divide and damage our campus community. On behalf of the university, I want to apologize to members of the OSU community, especially our African American students, who are hurt by this latest incident.
It is maddening and disappointing when these type of hateful incidents repeat themselves. We are better than this at OSU. I challenge every member of the OSU community to do what you can to help fight intolerance and make Oklahoma State University the best it can be.”
lake Giles, the president of OSU’s chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon, could not be reached for comment by the university newspaper.
