Ole Miss frat suspended in racial incident

OXFORD, Miss., Sept. 15 (UPI) -- A Mississippi fraternity was suspended over a wild party at which an African-American student said he endured racial taunts and was pushed down the stairs.

The Delta Kappa Epsilon house at the University of Mississippi was suspended from campus for one year for hosting an unauthorized party, as well as for assault, disorderly conduct and alcohol possession.

The student newspaper The Daily Mississippian said a freshman allegedly was the target of racial slurs at the Aug. 22 party and then shoved down a flight of stairs after being told to leave.

The University Judiciary Council handed down the suspension after hearing testimony from about 20 witnesses. The suspension bans the frat from taking part in the Ole Miss “Rush Week,” at which time new dues-paying members are recruited.

A spokesman for the Delta Kappa Epsilon told The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson the charges were overblown and the penalty would be appealed.