Bearing a banner that proclaimed, “Not on my campus,” some 1,000 Illinois State University students — mostly fraternity and sorority members — marched Wednesday evening against racism, discrimination, and sexual violence in the wake of recent nationwide controversies over campus fraternal conduct.
The "Solidarity Walk" arose from a discussion of recent events such as the release of a video of a racist chant by the University of Oklahoma's chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Students gathered outside Milner Library, crossed the bridge over College Avenue, and circled the campus quad twice. The line of marchers, three and four across, wrapped halfway around the quad.
At the end of the walk, many stopped to sign the large banner.
Joe Laskey, president of ISU's Interfraternity Council, maintained “fraternities and sororities are the ones who made the headlines, but this can happen to any organization.”
“We wanted to come together on these issues and support each other.” Senior Vincent Ortiz, president of ISU's Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter, said.
Ortiz, a small-business entrepreneurship major from Batavia, said he would like the march and ISU students' stand against wrongdoing to become "a universal thing supported on other campuses.”
Alex Snowden, coordinator of fraternity and sorority life in the dean of students' office, said he was not aware of any incidents involving ISU organizations, saying the students “wanted to be proactive.”
In remarks before the march, Laskey called on those present to “show their inclusiveness and supportiveness for all” and to “put it in writing … and leave it in writing for the leaders behind you.”
"As leaders, we will not accept any racism or discrimination based on traditions on our campus," he said.
Jordan Owens, a senior in social work from Peoria, carried a sign for his fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi, that said, “No room for any violence.” Senior Lulu Solorzano of Orland Park, a member of Gamma Phi Omega, whose mascot is a swan, held a sign saying, “Swans believe in acceptance and advocate diversity.”
A retreat this weekend will bring together 83 members of the Greek community to review their values and to reflect on what they're learning about each other.
“We wanted to come together on these issues and support each other.” Senior Vincent Ortiz, president of ISU's Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter, said.
Ortiz, a small-business entrepreneurship major from Batavia, said he would like the march and ISU students' stand against wrongdoing to become "a universal thing supported on other campuses.”
Alex Snowden, coordinator of fraternity and sorority life in the dean of students' office, said he was not aware of any incidents involving ISU organizations, saying the students “wanted to be proactive.”
In remarks before the march, Laskey called on those present to “show their inclusiveness and supportiveness for all” and to “put it in writing … and leave it in writing for the leaders behind you.”
"As leaders, we will not accept any racism or discrimination based on traditions on our campus," he said.
Jordan Owens, a senior in social work from Peoria, carried a sign for his fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi, that said, “No room for any violence.” Senior Lulu Solorzano of Orland Park, a member of Gamma Phi Omega, whose mascot is a swan, held a sign saying, “Swans believe in acceptance and advocate diversity.”
A retreat this weekend will bring together 83 members of the Greek community to review their values and to reflect on what they're learning about each other.