SENATE RESOLUTION

SR-S18-07

“A Resolution to call on the University to remove Iota Iota chapter of Alpha Phi International
Fraternity on campus and prioritize anti-racism initiatives.”

SHORT TITLE: ​ Alpha Phi Bigotry Act

SPONSOR: ​ Sen. Imani Ross (Chair of Student Life, U-at-Large)

CO-SPONSORS: Sen. Will Raderman (Vice Chair of Finance, U-At-Large)

Sen. Ojani Walthrust (ESIA-U)
Sen. Jan Yonan (CCAS-U)
Sen. Jacob Wright (CCAS-U)
Sen. Naseem Haamid (Freshman Senator)
Sen. Aika Aluc (MISPH-G)
Sen. Brady Forrest (Chairperson Pro Tempore, G-at-Large)
Sen. Shaheera Albasit (CCAS-G)
Sen. Mckenzie Swain (Chair of Academic Affairs, ESIA-U)
Sen. Andrew Lama (ESIA-U)
Sen. Eden Vitoff (Vice Chair of Student Life, CCAS-U)

ENDORSERS: NCNW; Black Student Union; Black Women’s Forum; GW POSSE;

Crown of Glory; Intersectional Feminist of Color Collaborative; Mu Beta
Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Gamma Alpha Phi Chapter
of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity; Inc.; Nu Beta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha
Fraternity, Inc.; Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Senoritas Latinas Unidas
Sorority, Inc.; The GroW Community; Theta Chi Chapter of Alpha Phi
Omega; GW Roosevelt Institute; SJP at GWU; Asian American Student
Association; YPDA GW; GW College Democrats; GW's The Voice
Gospel Choir; GW Ethiopian-Eritrean Students Association; Muslim
Student Association; GW Casa Blanca; TEDx Foggy Bottom; GW
Alternative Breaks; Students for Indigenous and Native American Rights;
Organization of Latino American Students; the Racially and Ethnically
Mixed Student Association; GW Progressive Student Union; GW Pakistan
Students’ Association;

PURPOSE: To call on the University to remove Iota Iota chapter of Alpha Phi
International Fraternity on campus and prioritize anti-racism initiatives.

WHEREAS: ​On Thursday morning, the first day of Black History Month, three members of the
Iota Iota chapter of Alpha Phi International Fraternity engaged in racist behavior, posting a
derogatory and racially insensitive and racist photo on the social media app Snapchat;
WHEREAS:​ Based on numerous accounts about fraternity membership selection practices,
race-based spirit of exclusivity and community life in the Iota Iota Chapter of the Alpha Phi
International Fraternity, the GW Student Association has numerous serious reasons to suspect a
pattern of racist behavior;

WHEREAS: ​Alpha Phi International Fraternity has had a pattern of racist behavior, given a
recent expulsion of a University of Alabama student who posted a video of her repeatedly using
the N word on the social media app Snapchat;

WHEREAS: ​The Iota Iota chapter of Alpha Phi International Fraternity purpose states ​“the
promotion of growth and character, unity of feeling, sisterly affection, and social communion
among our members and all that we do we try to obey God’s principle of justice and right”;

WHEREAS: ​The Iota Iota chapter of Alpha Phi International Fraternity creed states ​“I believe
in it as a creator of good citizenship, helping me to do my work well, to live in harmony with
others, and to serve my country and to trust in God”;

WHEREAS: ​The Iota Iota chapter of Alpha Phi International Fraternity apology statement
clearly states that ​“They are culpable for this action as a group in which a few felt comfortable
making a joke that was distinctly racist, ignorant, and harmful. We are no way trying to
contextualize, excuse or forgive the events that occured”;

WHEREAS: ​The Iota Iota Chapter of Alpha Phi International Fraternity admitted and
acknowledged that they struggle with diversity and inclusion which is expressed in their recent
statement “​we recognize that there are differences within our organization related to our
privilege and lack of diversity”;

WHEREAS: ​The George Washington University Mission Statement outlines ​“The University
values a dynamic, student-focused community stimulated by cultural and intellectual diversity
and built upon a foundation of integrity, creativity and openness to the exploration of new
ideas.”;

WHEREAS: ​The George Washington University Values clearly states:

“Learning: We support opportunities for continuous development that maximize the
potential of the individual and strengthen the university.
Communication: We strive to share information and ideas in an open, consistent, and
effective manner.
Community: We strive to build a strong community in the service of our shared purpose
and mission.
Diversity: We embrace the unique contributions of all members of our community.
Excellence:We commit ourselves to achieving the highest standards in all our endeavors.
Respect:​ ​We treat others with courtesy and dignity.
Service: We embrace our responsibility to exceed the expectations of others who depend
on our actions.
 Sustainability:We value and engage in sustainable practices that enhance current and
future resources for our campus, our community, and our world.
Teamwork: We encourage collaboration to meet common goals and produce a sense of
shared responsibility.”;

WHEREAS: ​In a recent statement, Provost Maltzman acknowledged that incidences like these
hinder the preeminence the George Washington University aspires to be:
“We must remember that words and symbols have tremendous consequences. And, when
they are made without regard to how those who receive them react, we can cause harm
and hinder the university’s ability to achieve the preeminence to which we all aspire.”;

WHEREAS: ​Student Association President, on behalf of the entire Student Association, posted
a statement condemning the behavior and reaffirming our commitment to fostering a respectful,
inclusive, community environment:
“We do not tolerate racially insensitive, racist, and offensive language in any form...The
SA will continue advocating on behalf of the student body by working with the University
administration to ensure that all students feel safe and supported on our campus.”;​ and

WHEREAS: ​It is evident that the Iota Iota chapter of Alpha Phi International Fraternity does not
reflect their own creed and principles, nor the values and mission of The George Washington
University.

WHEREAS: ​There are multiple accounts of Panhellenic and IFC

organizations urging its members to not speak out against racism on our campus.

BE IT RESOLVED​ by the Senate of the Student Association of The George Washington

University that the Senate reaffirms all members of the GW community carry a responsibility to
stand up against racism and discrimination in any way shape or form, in the spirit of empathy,
respect, and inclusive community;

BE IT RESOLVED​ by the Senate of the Student Association of The George

Washington University that the Senate condemns the intimidation imposed upon members of our
community via gag orders issued by Panhellenic and IFC organizations;

BE IT RESOLVED ​by the Senate of the Student Association of The George Washington
University that the Senate calls on the University and Alpha Phi International Fraternity for the
immediate removal of the Iota Iota chapter of Alpha Phi International Fraternity from campus;

BE IT RESOLVED​ by the Senate of the Student Association of The George Washington

University that the Senate calls on the University and National Alpha Phi international Fraternity
in the event of no removal, to suspend the Iota Iota chapter of Alpha Phi International Fraternity
from engaging in any social events relating to the Alpha Phi International Fraternity, on a
national or local level indefinitely;
BE IT RESOLVED ​by the Senate of the Student Association of The George Washington
University that the Senate calls on GW Housing to remove the Iota Iota chapter of Alpha Phi
International Fraternity from their townhouse at the close of the Spring semester and not be able
to renew their housing contract for their townhouse;

BE IT RESOLVED ​by the Senate of the Student Association of The George Washington
University that the Senate calls on GW Housing to work with the Multicultural Greek Council
and MSSC to ensure that Multicultural Greeks with the application process Multicultural Greek
Council applicants are given top priority to occupy any vacant Greek property for the 2018-2019
school year;

BE IT RESOLVED ​by the Senate of the Student Association of The George Washington
University that the Senate calls on the University to create a taskforce to further investigate racial
discrimination in the Panhellenic/IFC communities;

BE IT RESOLVED ​by the Senate of the Student Association of The George Washington
University that the Senate calls on the Panhellenic and IFC communities to require mandatory
diversity training for all chapters and individual members of said chapters, with failure to attend
resulting in the immediate suspension of their membership;

BE IT RESOLVED ​by the Senate of the Student Association of The George Washington
University that the Senate will work with the Multicultural Student Services Center and relevant
administrators to create a race, bigotry, and behavioral workshop;

BE IT RESOLVED​ by the Senate of the Student Association of The George Washington

University that the Senate calls on the Panhellenic/IFC communities to require mandatory race,
bigotry and behavioral training for all chapters and individual members of said chapters, with
failure to attend resulting in the immediate suspension of their membership;

BE IT RESOLVED ​by the Senate of the Student Association of The George Washington
University that the Senate encourages the University to make in person racism and bigotry
awareness training mandatory at every Colonial Inauguration;

BE IT RESOLVED ​by the Senate of the Student Association of The George Washington
University that the Senate calls on the GW Greek Life Office to install diversity and inclusion
training and knowledge within the New Member Days curriculum for all potential new members
of GW Greek Life, with failure to attend resulting in the ineligible participation;

BE IT RESOLVED ​by the Senate of the Student Association of The George Washington
University that the Senate calls on the University President Thomas LeBlanc to conduct a town
hall this semester to continue to develop relevant diversity and inclusion initiatives for the GW
community;

BE IT RESOLVED ​by the Senate of the Student Association of The George Washington
University that the Senate encourages the University to add another Associate Dean of Students
in the Division of Student Affairs, or of equivalent in the new Division of Enrollment and the
Student Experience, who is a person of color;

BE IT RESOLVED ​by the Senate of the Student Association of The George Washington
University that the Senate demands that the new Dean of the Student Experience be a person of
color;

BE IT RESOLVED​ by the Senate of the Student Association of The George Washington

University that the Senate calls on the Student Association President to appoint two additional
Co-directors of Greek Affairs which represent the Multicultural Greek and Alternative Greek
communities;

BE IT RESOLVED ​by the Senate of the Student Association of The George Washington
University​ ​that the Senate calls on the University to provide better training for Area
Coordinators, Resident Directors, Housing Managers, and Resident Advisors on race and racism
issues to foster better inclusive spaces for students in residential life;

BE IT RESOLVED ​by the Senate of the Student Association of The George Washington
University that the Senate calls on the University to address the Student Code of Conduct and
augment sections on “discrimination”, “disorderly conduct”, and “hazing” to include racialized
language to address facets of diversity and inclusion; and

BE IT RESOLVED ​by the Senate of the Student Association of The George Washington
University that the Senate demands that the University release a full report updating all student
organization leaders that endorsed this legislation on progress on these action points by the end
of the spring 2018 semester.

SENATE VOTE: _ ​26​__YEA __0__NAY __0_ABSTAIN

FAILED PASSED PASSED AS AMENDED

____________________________________________ ______________________
Sydney Nelson, Executive Vice President Date

ATTEST:

____________________________________________ ______________________
Senate Secretary Date

PRESIDENTIAL SUBMISSION:

____________________________________________ ______________________
Peak Sen Chua, President Date
APPROVE VETO