Students reportedly chanted “build that wall” while dressed in ponchos, sombreros, construction outfits and maid’s uniforms at a Texas university fraternity party.
Students at Baylor University are calling for diversity training and more inclusive policies to be implemented on campus after the local chapter of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity threw a Mexico wall-themed party on Saturday night, KXXV-ABC reported.
Vice President for Student Life Dr. Kevin P. Jackson said in a statement that the university is aware of the party and condemns the event because it does not align with its values:
The University has been made aware of a racially insensitive event that occurred last night off campus. The reported behavior is deeply concerning and does not in any way reflect Baylor’s institutional values. University officials are presently investigating the incident and gathering additional information.
Baylor is committed to a Christian mission that actively supports a caring and diverse campus community, and we do not tolerate racism of any kind on our campus. When any incident that does not align with our faith and mission is brought to our attention, it is thoroughly investigated by the University, and appropriate action is taken.
Students issued a list of demands in response to the party, including “mandatory cultural competency education for all students and faculty,” according to The Washington Times.
Some of those who attended the party reportedly dressed up in ponchos, sombreros, construction outfits, and maid’s uniforms. Some also claim that those at the party chanted “Build that wall, build that wall.”
The national Kappa Sigma organization announced in a statement that they had suspended the fraternity pending an investigation:
The Kappa Sigma Fraternity has learned of a social event that occurred with our Lambda-Tau Chapter at Baylor University at an off campus location on Saturday evening. Kappa Sigma has suspended the operations of the Chapter, while we conduct an investigation in cooperation with the University. The allegations are inconsistent with the values of Kappa Sigma and upon the completion of the investigation, the Fraternity will address the findings in an appropriate manner.
Baylor is currently in the midst of a rape scandal and is facing a lawsuit that alleges “at least 31 football players at Baylor University committed at least 52 ‘acts of rape’ over four years.” The allegations include five gang rapes wherein two instances involved 10 or more players at the same time,” according to The Washington Post.
The Texas Rangers confirmed on March 1, 2017, that they opened a preliminary investigation into how the University handled the reports of sexual assault to “determine if further action is warranted.”
Ryan Saavedra is a contributor for Breitbart Texas and can be found on Twitter at @RealSaavedra.