Acacia responds to dean's letter

The letter from Dean of Students Richard McKaig ("Shouts from Acacia deserve explanation," Oct. 8) regarding the events of Thursday, Oct. 4, highlighted a serious problem that the Acacia Chapter intends to address. \nThe chapter would like to express its apologies and deepest regrets for the incident that occurred during the Take Back the Night march. There is no excuse for the conduct of one of our members, and the chapter was, and is, embarrassed because of his heinous action.\nOur apology is extended to all of those who organized and participated in this event of the utmost importance and reverence. We regret that the incident created a situation that had no reason to occur; its senselessness is as appalling to the members of Acacia as it is to all members of the campus community that it affects.\nDean McKaig was correct in his statement that Acacia neither condones nor encourages such conduct. Our values are directly to the contrary. Acacia Fraternity has a long and positive history of service, and we continue those efforts today through philanthropic events, such as this weekend's Waterball Challenge in which we raised money for the victims of the World Trade Center disaster. We have attended seminars on sexual harassment and campus rape. We intend to place more emphasis on such programs, because this isolated incident points to the need for stronger educational programs on values and personal respect.\nIn taking steps to remedy this terrible occurrence, the member in question, with the counsel of the chapter, has decided to voluntarily remove himself from living in the chapter house. \nThis removal from his brothers is meant to show that he is repentant for his actions, as well as to show that the chapter will not tolerate such actions as representative of the whole. He has begun the long process of apologizing for this appalling act to all those involved. Before he will be able to petition for reinstatement, not earlier than next year, he is required to undertake the appropriate sensitivity education as provided by the University and receive its certificate of completion. \nAcacia Fraternity intends to rectify the wrong by our individual and collective actions. We hope that all who were offended will accept our sincerest apology and our assurance that this isolated incident in no way reflects the teaching and values of Acacia.\nWith deepest apology to all, the chapter extends its hand of good will to the student body, faculty, staff and administration of Indiana University.