Taking a Stand Against Racism and Bigotry

Dear Adelphi Community,

Adelphi University is committed to being a model of diversity and inclusion. The social media posts that came to my attention yesterday made me realize how much work our community still has to do in achieving this important goal. As a community, we must do better.

When the video and posts were brought to my attention, we immediately began the process of identifying and investigating the individuals and groups involved. Over the past 24 hours, Adelphi’s leadership team has been contacting those involved, the leadership of the fraternity and its national organization.

Yesterday, members of our community were in communication with Pi Lambda Phi’s national organization. Together with the fraternity’s student leadership, the decision has been made to suspend the fraternity’s activities during the investigation. Effective immediately, Pi Lambda Phi’s activities have been suspended with the exception of those activities and training around diversity and inclusion.

As for several of the individuals involved, we intend to complete the investigation as quickly as possible and to determine whether discipline is appropriate. Our code of conduct allows various disciplinary actions, including developmental sanctions as well as elevated sanctions such as suspension and expulsion.

Many conversations are being held on private social media. Please remember that we owe respect to each other—not hatred, bigotry, bullying or shaming.

We’ve worked hard to improve equity and inclusion at Adelphi, but there is much more to do. In the coming weeks and months, I hope that you will work with us to create new ideas and initiatives aimed at continuing to improve our community.

Respectfully,

Christine M. Riordan, Ph.D.
President