The Sigma Chi fraternity at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is under investigation for alleged "racially insensitive activities."
UTC announced in a tweet Wednesday that the school was notified on June 9 that "an affiliated fraternity may have participated in racially insensitive activities."
"The university was notified on June 9, 2020, that an affiliated fraternity may have participated in racially insensitive activities. The university's Office of Student Conduct and Office of Equity and Inclusion are currently investigating these allegations," said Yancy Freeman, vice chancellor for enrollment management and student affairs, in a statement. "Disciplinary action will be taken for any violations of the student code of conduct or other university policies. Racism has no place on our campus, and the university does not condone any behavior that does not align with a culture of diversity and inclusion."
The origin of the investigation into Sigma Chi is unknown, but several social media posts circulating Wednesday made allegations against the fraternity.
Disciplinary action will be taken for any violations of the Student Code of Conduct or other University policies. Racism has no place on our campus and the University does not condone any behavior that does not align with a culture of diversity and inclusion.
— UTChattanooga (@UTChattanooga) June 10, 2020
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A tweet posted by UTC student Kalani Porto on June 9 read, "Y'all don't want me to expose how [UTC Sigma Chi]made me repeat FOR WEEKS while pledging, 'The only reason I'm here is affirmative action.'"
Porto's post went on to allege that fraternity members would play songs and use racial slurs when he would act as designated driver during nights out partying.
UTC declined to confirm that the Delta Theta chapter of Sigma Chi on the university's campus is under investigation, but Michael Church, executive director of the national organization, confirmed the investigation to the Times Free Press.
Y’all don’t want me to expose how @utcSigmaChi made me repeat FOR WEEKS while pledging“The only reason I’m here is affirmative action” and no one stood up for me or when I would DD Ffir them and “Drive N**** Drive” was sang over thunderstruck ooopp....
— K•A•L•A•N•I(@KalaniPorto) June 9, 2020
"Sigma Chi International Fraternity has received notice that former members of our chapter located at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga are alleged to have participated in racially insensitive activities. We are fully cooperating and partnering with the university, which has launched an investigation through its Office of Student Conduct and Office of Equity and Inclusion. Racism has no place in our fraternity and we will hold any member who is found to have violated any of our policies, specifically our statement of policy on human decency and dignity, appropriately accountable," Church said in a statement.
Church noted that the organization believes that the situation involves students who have graduated or alumni of the organization.
In a message to the Times Free Press, Porto noted said he is not a victim.
"I said what I said to show that these incidences happen in a vacuum. A system which encourages, or even less, does not correct problems when they happened. These moments don't define you but they stick, they cause you to question your existence and your value. I became depressed and detached and tried to adjust my life in order to fit into a culture because mine wasn't embraced or accepted. It's not a name or a person, it's the organization/system surrounding ALL Greek life specifically [the Interfraternity Council] fraternities," he wrote. "To say the organization never did anything for me would be a bold face lie, but that's not the point."
University officials also declined to give further details on the allegations Wednesday.
Contact Meghan Mangrum at mmangrum@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6592. Follow her on Twitter @memangrum.
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