Message from President Hargis

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Oklahoma State University Community,

As President of Oklahoma State University, I want to commend the decisive and determined way in which my colleague President David Boren has responded to the indefensible actions by some members of a fraternity involved in an instance of blatant racism.  I can assure you we will deal with racist behavior with decisiveness and determination to the fullest extent possible. 

I appreciate the prompt and appropriate actions taken by members of the SAE fraternity at Oklahoma State to remove a confederate flag from the wall of a member’s room.   

Sadly, racism is still present in our society. We have made progress in breaking down the barriers of discrimination and inequality. However, we have not made enough progress. We must all redouble our efforts to promote greater acceptance of the power of diversity. Let me be clear, we will strongly resist any attempts to turn back the clock at Oklahoma State.

I subscribe to the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. when he said, “I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality ... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.”

Burns Hargis