Western Illinois Fraternity Suspended - Delta Tau Delta offensive advertisement - Brief Article

Black Issues in Higher Education, Oct 12, 2000

MACOMB, ILL.

A fraternity at Western Illinois University was suspended after school officials deemed inappropriate a rush advertisement that appeared in the campus newspaper, the university said recently.

The ad pictured Delta Tau Delta brothers gathered in front of the fraternity house with a Black lawn jockey ornament that had handcuffs hanging from it.

The suspension means the fraternity won't be allowed to take part in homecoming, intramurals or any other campus activities during the 2000-2001 school year.

John McGuire, director of university relations, said chapter president Daniel Dunleavy admitted it was a mistake. McGuire also said the fraternity has addressed some concerns of other student organizations, including a Black student association.

"It undermined presentation of their mission and values. Their chapter does not condone racism and violence," McGuire says.

If the fraternity wants to seek recognition again after the school year, McGuire says it will need to participate in educational and cultural activities as part of stipulations set by a university judicial board of faculty, staff and students.