For about two months, as Van Hook was pledging to the fraternity, he says some members of the fraternity constantly made racist, harassing, and threatening comments toward him and others looking to join Kappa Sigma.

“I was told, all African-Americans live off of government assistance and welfare. … There’s an instance I was called a thug by a Caucasian, no one wants you here … [and] Big Red called me a n—-r” he said.

The sophomore planned to bring the issues to university officials and started storing screenshots and videos of the insults, however, when it was time for a meeting with the vice chancellor, he feels his concerns weren’t taken seriously enough as it took longer than 20 days to begin addressing his concerns.

A of the school spokeswoman, Megan Wieser, sent Atlanta Black Star a statement, “The SIUE Office of Equal Opportunity, Access and Title IX Coordination and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs are actively investigating reported incidents of racial and homophobic slurs from members of a campus fraternity toward a fellow student, and a hazing claim.”

Wieser disputes Van Hook’s claims the university didn’t take immediate action. “Immediate action was taken, within less than 24 hours of receiving the complaint on the evening of Sunday, October 17.

University Police has since provided police escorts for the student and the university issued a no contact order between the student and all members of the fraternity. The fraternity has been placed on a cease and desist, and options were provided to adjust on-campus living arrangements for the victim.

“They’re only moving more promptly now because so many news outlets have picked up on this,” Van Hook said in response to the university steps.

The 19-year-old is now getting counseling and says he suffers from anxiety and depression because of the experience at the school. The teen no longer lives on campus and now lives at home with his parents in neighboring St. Louis, Missouri, approx.. 27 miles away from campus.

“When I don’t have to be on campus, I’m not there because who wants to be stuck in a dorm room. Yeah, the university offered a police escort, but again, like I mentioned, who wants to do that? Who wants to continue to get in the back seat of a police car, especially when you’re not a criminal,” said Van Hook. Van Hook plans to remain at the school to finish his construction program for his engineering degree.

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