UPDATE: LBC issues another statement after meeting with MUPD

UPDATE 9/30 2:20 p.m.: After the LBC met with MUPD Thursday evening, they sent out another statement on their twitter page.

The statement addresses LBC’s thoughts on MU’s climate and how they think racist scenarios can be prevented in the future.

UPDATE 9/30: The Mizzou Black Alumni Network Board has released a statement regarding the incident on MU’s campus on Sept. 27.

UPDATE 9/29: Title IX will be taking over the investigation of the incident that occurred Tuesday evening from MUPD. As of now, the incident has not been classified as a crime, and no one has been arrested.

According to the office of title ix’s website, MU prohibits the discrimination and/or harassment of someone because of their race. According to the off office of student conduct, if a student is found responsible for violating the standard of conduct, that student can face repercussions from suspension to expulsion.

ABC 17 News reached out to the executive office of the Legion of Black Collegians (LBC) to clarify the events that occurred on Tuesday evening.

According to LBC’s official statement, at approximately 11:50 p.m. on Sept. 27, a group of six to seven white male and female students passed two black female members of the LBC Activities Committee near the Delta Upsilon (DU) Fraternity house. One of the white females in the group passing the two LBC members shouted a racial slur.

The two LBC members contacted other LBC members to join them in front of the DU house, because they felt concerned for their safety.

Police arrived on the scene as the incident grew outside of DU house. While police were attempting to de-escalate the situation, members of DU started recording the interaction and yelling obscenities as well, according to the LBC official statement.

LBC’s official statement also says, “While some of the police officers proceeded to disperse the developing crowd, some attempted to control members of the Legion as opposed to controlling those yelling out of the windows; another officer used excessive verbal force WITH his hand on his gun, in attempts to calm one of the Legion’s members, who was rightfully infuriated about the events that just transpired.”

ORIGINAL STORY: The University of Missouri is addressing reports of racial slurs being used on campus Tuesday night.

Around 11:30 Wednesday morning, MU tweeted a release saying MU police officers responded to an incident where racial slurs had been used. The university said the students involved have been identified, and Office of Student Conduct and the Office of Civil Rights &Title IX are taking action.

“I am outraged and saddened to hear of this!” said Interim Chancellor Hank Foley. “The safety and security of our campus is our No. 1 priority; the University of Missouri is committed to fostering an inclusive campus environment where all students, faculty, staff and visitors can live, learn, work and feel safe.”

The MU Legion of Black Collegians sent out a release earlier Wednesday morning, referencing an incident on campus that happened just before midnight. The release says six to seven white students used racial slurs against a few black students. A “disruption” followed, and MUPD approached the scene at the Delta Upsilon fraternity house.

The statement said members of the fraternity began using racial slurs and other obscenities.

“It seems like I’ve only been on campus for like a month and it just seems like it’s a reoccurring thing,” said freshman student Sidne Fonville.

“I was kind of sad,” said freshman student Thomas Cater. “I thought it was over with, but it wasn’t.”

It also claims while officers tried to control the crowd, one officer used “excessive verbal force” and put his hand on his gun while interacting with an LBC member.

Delta Upsilon’s national organization suspended the MU chapter Wednesday afternoon.

“Delta Upsilon International Fraternity is aware of a verbal altercation that took place in front of our chapter at the University of Missouri on Tuesday evening, Sept. 27,” Executive Director Justin Kirk said in a statement. “We have placed the chapter on an emergency suspension as we work closely with the university to learn more about the incident. Racism and sexism have no place in our Fraternity and we expect our members to be positive contributors to inclusive campus environments.”

The university has also placed the fraternity on suspension following the allegations. According to MU officials, the fraternity has already been cited for alcohol violations this semester. While on suspension, Delta Upsilon isn’t allowed to use university facilities or participate in campus activities such as Homecoming and other social events.

The Legion of Black Collegians organized a town hall meeting Wednesday night at the Black Culture Center for students to come together and support each other.

Both Fonville and Cater attended the meeting and said the talk was a step in the right direction, but said more needs to be done.

“I feel like it would be way more productive if there were people there who don’t think this is a problem,” Fonville said.

“We can talk about it amongst ourselves, but if we want to come together as a schools and as a community it needs to be talked about with everyone, not just a specific group of people,” Cater said.

MU said anyone with information on the incident is encouraged to contact the Office of Student Conduct or the Office of Civil Rights &Title IX office.