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OU fraternity receives backlash for tweeted pic

Posted at 8:33 AM, Feb 11, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-11 15:46:59-05

NORMAN, Okla. – A fraternity newly returned to University of Oklahoma is already receiving a bit of backlash after one member posted a controversial picture.

The organization, Alpha Sigma Phi, recently returned after 20 years saying they wanted to bring a positive light to Greek Life and to the University of Oklahoma.

An anonymous picture posted on Twitter to a black student organization showed a white student wearing a white robe and pointed hoodie.

Several Twitter users were outraged by the picture and demanded the university look into it.   

In a statement OU Vice President for the University Community Jabar Shumate says they're looking into it. Shumate said “While the photo creates a confusing appearance. It appears that no racial symbolism was intended."

The national fraternity leaders say it was part of an initiation ceremony in which robes of different colors are used. Moving forward the group will not be using that robe any longer.

Matt Mullins the founding president at OU also issued a statement saying "We apologize to anyone in the community who is upset by this picture."

Last March, two members of Sigma Alpha Epsilon at OU were expelled after a video of them participating in a racist chant was posted on YouTube. The fraternity was shut down.

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