COLLEGE PARK, Md., April 2 (UPI) -- The University of Maryland concluded that an offensive email sent by a fraternity member did not violate the school's policies and is protected by the First Amendment.
The email, written by a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, was " hateful and reprehensible," according to University of Maryland President Wallace Loh. An investigation into the email was conducted by the university's Office of Civil Rights and Sexual Misconduct, the university's Police Department and the Prince George's County Police Department, who issued the conclusion.
"However, this determination does not mitigate the fact that the email is profoundly hurtful to the entire University community," Loh wrote in a statement. "It caused anger and anguish, pain and fear, among many people. It subverts our core values of inclusivity, human dignity, safety, and mutual respect. When any one of us is harmed by the hateful speech of another, all of us are harmed."
The email was sent in January 2014, but went viral in March. It alludes to raping women and uses racist slurs to describe African American, Asian and Indian women. The author wrote that he wanted to have sex with women during the fraternity's rush week, but indicated he didn't want women of specific races to attend.
In the investigation, officials found that conduct following the email by anyone did not raise safety concerns. The parents of the student and the student himself apologized.
"I apologize for the pain that I have caused you, the entire University of Maryland community, and many others who were offended by my words.... For this, I am deeply sorry. I regret sending that email more than I'll ever be able to put into words," he is quoted as saying in Loh's statement.
The student will not return to campus and is no longer a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity.
