All Cal Poly frats voluntarily placed on probation after blackface scandal
Cal Poly fraternities have voluntarily put themselves on probation and suspended some activities indefinitely in the wake of massive outrage over several racist photos of Lambda Chi Alpha members wearing blackface and throwing gang signs while dressed as gangsters.
"We want to acknowledge our role in contributing to an environment that perpetuates racism, and are making a commitment from this day forward to hold our community more responsible and hold them accountable to the values we strive to live by," read a statement released Thursday by the Interfraternity Council, which governs Cal Poly's fraternities.
Under the terms of the probation, chapters will be permitted to host chapter meetings, recruitment events, signature philanthropies and events, community service and education programming, and will be required to attend any and all IFC and campus education programming at the discretion of the board.
IFC chapters will also not hold booths at this weekend's Open House event, when thousands of prospective students, family and community members are expected to be on campus.
According to a news release, the IFC Executive Board will release a plan of action on April 20 for it will move forward.
The Lambda Chi Alpha national headquarters already placed the local chapter on interim suspension and is convening an alumni control board to review its members and determine discipline after the incident.
Officers for the local chapter have all resigned their offices, and two members — including the student pictured in blackface — have resigned their membership.
The photos outraged many members of the campus community, including those in Greek life.
"I am part of a Greek organization, and I'm ashamed to say that right now," a female student said during an emergency town hall Monday. "Even though my Greek organization is a cultural one, this is for all of us to learn.
"To the white people here who actually care about us, stand behind us and don't be cowards anymore."
This story was originally published April 12, 2018 at 5:24 PM with the headline "All Cal Poly frats voluntarily placed on probation after blackface scandal."