OUDoc
4/17/2006, 12:41 PM
By Carol Biliczky
Beacon Journal staff writer
Kent State University officials have placed the Chi Omega sorority on probation for giving a ``blackest member'' award to a white woman.
The sorority will not be able to hold social functions while officials investigate the incident, which occurred at a formal dinner-dance at the Student Center Ballroom on Saturday.
The president of Chi Omega's KSU chapter, marketing major Marisa Stroud, released a written statement to the media apologizing for the award. She declined to comment further or answer questions.
On Thursday, three sorority members met with black students and KSU administrators for an hour, according to Sasha Parker, president of Black United Students.
Parker said the Chi Omega members told the group that the award -- one of many bestowed that night -- was a joke among friends, not a slap at black students.
Parker said she could accept that explanation, noting that the student who received the award brought a black date to the event.
``We don't believe they're racist,'' she said. ``We just think it's an insensitivity issue.''
Heh, they said "member".
I think I'd find a black student awarded "whitest member" pretty funny, actually. But since I'm white I can't say that. ;)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/ohio/news/14341337.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news
Beacon Journal staff writer
Kent State University officials have placed the Chi Omega sorority on probation for giving a ``blackest member'' award to a white woman.
The sorority will not be able to hold social functions while officials investigate the incident, which occurred at a formal dinner-dance at the Student Center Ballroom on Saturday.
The president of Chi Omega's KSU chapter, marketing major Marisa Stroud, released a written statement to the media apologizing for the award. She declined to comment further or answer questions.
On Thursday, three sorority members met with black students and KSU administrators for an hour, according to Sasha Parker, president of Black United Students.
Parker said the Chi Omega members told the group that the award -- one of many bestowed that night -- was a joke among friends, not a slap at black students.
Parker said she could accept that explanation, noting that the student who received the award brought a black date to the event.
``We don't believe they're racist,'' she said. ``We just think it's an insensitivity issue.''
Heh, they said "member".
I think I'd find a black student awarded "whitest member" pretty funny, actually. But since I'm white I can't say that. ;)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/ohio/news/14341337.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news