Last semester, it came to light that a member of Eta Mu Chapter wrote a text message (prior to joining Theta) that contained racist and extraordinarily hateful speech targeting the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. There is photographic proof of this message which was sent to multiple individuals. News of this text message spread quickly and it is now known to the entire campus and beyond, leading Occidental College to release an official statement on the matter.

Let it be clear that Kappa Alpha Theta condemns all hate including that targeting the AAPI community. Kappa Alpha Theta values our members of the Asian, AAPI community and denounces racism of all kinds. We see, support, and honor the pain of our Asian, AAPI members and colleagues.

Racism and hate speech of any kind have no place in Kappa Alpha Theta. As an organization, we are committed to fighting racism, discrimination, and inequity—both within our sisterhood and within our world. Click here to learn more about Theta's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. 

Theta has a process to address behavior that occurred prior to membership that aims to prevent a potential new member from even pledging Kappa Alpha Theta. Once a member, there are accountability systems in place for when a member’s actions do not align with our values. In this instance, these processes failed, and we want to be sure that that these processes are clearer and more actively followed in the future. While the chapter has since voted to terminate the member, the harm has already been done.

I am saddened that this situation escalated to the point where the members believe there are no other options than to vote to close Eta Mu Chapter. The vote to surrender the charter is currently set to take place at a special meeting of the chapter on Wednesday, Feb. 9.