April 07, 2014

Pro-nickname banner at UND

UND sorority in trouble for pro-nickname banner during Indian-themed Time Out Week

By Anna BurlesonUND's Gamma Phi Beta sorority is in hot water again for what is being seen as anti-Indian behavior.

The international chapter of the group has issued an apology for hanging a pink banner that read, "You can take away our mascot but you can't take away our pride!" to celebrate UND playing in the NCAA Frozen Four tournament.

The house, which sits next to the American Indian Student Services building, hung the banner on an outside wall on Monday and people were quick to react via social media before it was taken down the same day.

UND President Robert Kelley issued a statement saying he was disappointed and that the timing of its display, at the start an Indian-themed educational event called Time Out Week, demonstrated a lack of sensitivity.


Someone on Facebook commented:Really? Especially during Time Out Week of all things. Then again can't say I am really surprised since this is the sorority that had the Cowboy and Indian party a while back. Perhaps they should take in some of our events?

Comment:  I guess the main problems were the timing and the location of the banner. I'm not sure people would've objected to it in another context.

1 comment:

Rob said...

http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/latest/sorority-apologizes-for-fighting-sioux-banner-at-und-chapter/article_6d955629-8f6f-5208-9588-23f4c5be17e7.html

Sorority apologizes for 'Fighting Sioux' banner at UND chapter

"The members of Alpha Beta Chapter sincerely apologize for the lack of respect they displayed by hanging an insensitive banner on their chapter facility," Gamma Phi Beta said in its statement dated Tuesday. "Gamma Phi Beta sincerely apologizes to the University of North Dakota community—we do not condone behavior that violates the policies and values of our organization."

The Centennial, Colo.-based sorority said it will provide sensitivity training for the UND chapter and might impose sanctions.

The UND chapter in 2007 was put on probation for a year for hosting a "cowboys and Indians" party at which students dressed in stereotypical American Indian garb and wore red face and body paint.