The Associated Press recently reported details about an incident involving members of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority at Ohio’s Miami University and Cincinnati’s treasure chest of knowledge and information depicting various aspects of the history of slavery in our country. With programs that educate the public about modern slavery and human trafficking, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is a place to learn all that history books in public schools and often college textbooks don’t (or won’t) tell you about. But does the NURFC sound like a place to party, too?
To bring you up to date, administrators say the ladies of Alpha Xi Delta sorority held a party at the museum and destroyed property by vomiting and urinating. The incident took place back on March 26th at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center where the girls are accused of excessive drinking, bringing alcohol in concealed bottles and flasks and vomiting in various places while their male guests actually left puddles of urine on bathroom floors. FreedCenter officials also described trashing of the dance floor and bathrooms.
Many are asking the same questions at this point. Have these folks lost their minds totally? Why are we having college parties which are notorious for bad behavior in a slavery museum anyway? And furthermore, why party inside any type of museum to begin with? Obviously, invaluable, irreplaceable, historic artifacts shouldn’t have been anywhere near drunken co-ed students – period.
“Things went from bad to worse as the night progressed,” wrote Rhonda Miller, a private event coordinator who says she caught one male apparently planning to urinate on an early 19th-century slave pen exhibit.
The Alpha Xi Delta sorority has since apologized to the Freedom Center and says it was “saddened by the inappropriate behavior.” The organization also added that “the poor judgment and actions that some individuals displayed showed not only little respect for the facility but for themselves,” in their statement concerning the issue.
The president of Miami University, David Hodge, also said in a letter to staff and faculty on Wednesday that he was appalled and embarrassed by the incident at the Freedom Center “because it was a place of such cultural and historical significance to our community.” He said he has apologized to officials of the Freedom Center and that Miami University will thoroughly review policies and standards “with the intent to significantly update requirements for Greek events and disciplinary procedures for the Greek community.”
The Alpha Xi Delta sorority is currently facing a two-year suspension from the school. If indeed suspended, the sorority has already planned to make an appeal. At the present time, no one is claiming this incident was racially motivated.
Ok, ladies and gentlemen, here it comes. There are so many things totally wrong with this story. First, who approved such an event and also allowed such debauchery to take place in the NURFC? Secondly, is a letter of apology from both the reluctant organization and the leader of the educational institution really enough? And third on our list of questions this morning, if the sorority is suspended for the entire two year term for such foolishness, do you think their appeal should even be accepted? We want to hear from you and examine how you all feel about the story and the results so far. Post your thoughts and responses in the comments section below.
