A Message From President Burns Hargis

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

“The start of the spring semester has been marred by a racially charged social media post that is unacceptable and disturbing. The university has met with the student involved and he has been removed from his position in residential life.

“It is a shame he would exercise his right of free speech in a hurtful and insensitive way. It is especially reprehensible that this occurred as our nation celebrated the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King.

“Intolerance and discrimination of any person or group is not acceptable on the Oklahoma State University campus. Offensive, hurtful language only seeks to divide and damage our campus community.

“On behalf of the university, I want to apologize to members of the OSU community, especially our African American students, who are hurt by this latest incident. It is maddening and disappointing when these types of hateful incidents repeat themselves.

“We are better than this at OSU. I challenge every member of the OSU community to do what you can to help fight intolerance and make Oklahoma State University the best it can be.”

Burns Hargis

President, Oklahoma State University