The University of Windsor is launching an investigation into the Delta Chi-Windsor fraternity after racist messages, allegedly exchanged between members of the group, were revealed to the administration.
The messages date back five years and include racist, sexist, and homophobic content.
A letter to University President Robert Gordon alleges the individuals used a Facebook chat to perpetuate hate and endorse violence against people of colour and other minorities on campus.
"We have approximately five years worth of video, photo and text proof that Delta Chi-Windsor by and large hates Indians and Black people, the LGBT and disability community and holds sexist and harmful views," read the letter posted by the Twitter handle @atuwindsor2020.
In response to the letter, Gordon said the university is launching a formal investigation. The university has also contacted the Windsor Police Service and the US-based leadership of Delta Chi.
"Many of the messages shared in this note are disturbing, unacceptable, and entirely incongruent with the values of our school and the work we are doing to create a more inclusive and equitable community at the University of Windsor," said University of Windsor President Robert Gordon in a statement about the messages.
The fraternity has no formal relationship with the university and is not recognized by the university's student association. However, they are allowed to rent space on campus like any other organization in the community. This will no longer be allowed pending the results of the investigation.
"I want to thank our students, faculty, and staff for bringing this to our attention and for their ongoing work to make our campus safer and more equitable. We know this is work that Black faculty, staff, and students should not have to undertake, and apologize again for the distress this incident has caused. We will work together to root out racism and discrimination in all its forms," said Gordon.
The group that sent the letter to the university is calling on the administration to cut all ties with the fraternity and terminate all students associated with the evidence provided.