DENTON, Texas, Feb. 1 -- A local chapter of the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity was suspended Thursday at the University of North Texas pending the outcome of an investigation of charges that members shouted racist remarks at visiting black athletes and displayed a Confederate battle flag.
The national fraternity suspended the UNT chapter and university officials said they would complete an investigation of the incident by Friday.
The university has already suspended the chapter's charter until the probe is completed.
"If we make a determination that members of that fraternity did indeed say the things they were alleged to have said and waved the Confederate flag, then we'll take pretty stern measures with them," said UNT spokesman Roddy Wolper.
About 500 people staged a march on the campus Wednesday to protest the Saturday incident.
Matt Spellman, the Kappa Alpha chapter president, denied that racial remarks were made. He said one member "acting alone and against my authority" brought the flag to the event. He was kicked out of the fraternity.
Larry Wiese, national Kappa Alpha executive director, denied that the group is racist and said the Confederate battle flag was not a part of their organization.
"The flag is not a symbol of the organization and should not be used as a symbol of the organization," he said. "Unfortunately, some individual members have from time to time displayed it."
Kappa Alpha, headquartered in Lexington, Va., is rooted in Old South traditions and considers Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee to be its spiritual founder. It was founded in 1865 at Washington and Lee University in Lexington.
The marchers want a permanent suspension of the fraternity at UNT, confiscation of its house, and a fine. They passed their suggestions to university administrators.NEWLN:
