The CU Independent would like to address concerns raised by Multicultural Greek Council organizations at CU-Boulder in relation to an article that was recently published.
We want to address these concerns because we acknowledge we stand in a position of power on campus and must exercise the responsibility that should exist hand-in-hand with our influence.
Greek Life: Multicultural and Panhellenic organizations, was published on Feb. 24 and the Independent’s intent behind the piece was to highlight the lack of recognition that MGC organizations are given in the CU community. Intent and impact are not always the same, however, and we are issuing a formal apology to those who we have negatively impacted through our work.
Members of the MGC organizations communicated to the CUI that because the story features quotes solely from students in organizations that are associate or full members of the CU Panhellenic Council, the lack of multicultural Greek representation in the piece has led to misrepresentation.
In the reporting process, several MGC organizations were reached out to, however none responded for comment prior to the article’s deadline. The CUI is responsible for failing to include in the story any acknowledgement of this effort, which would have explained the lack of those organizations’ perspectives.
The MGC organizations the CUI intended to spotlight in the article include: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Alpha Omega Eta African Sorority Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., B.E.L.L.A.S (an interest group for Lambda Theta Nu Sorority Inc.), Delta Lambda Phi Fraternity, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Pi Delta Psi Fraternity Inc., Pi Lambda Chi Latina Sorority Inc., Sigma Lambda Beta Fraternity Inc., Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority Inc., Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority Inc. and Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority Inc.
The CUI would like to acknowledge that without input from members of these organizations in the article, their purposes and roles in the CU community were not accurately conveyed.
In order to inform our readership as to the reality of what these organizations stand for, the work they do and the passion of their members, the CUI is working on another story that will include information directly provided to us from them.
The CUI appreciates feedback from our readers and the assistance all MGC organizations have given us since the original article ran.
Our goal has been to be more inclusive, not less, and we regret very much that we have stumbled in our efforts. We look forward to building bridges with the multicultural Greek community, and all the diverse and under-represented communities of the CU-Boulder campus.
Contact Editor-in-Chief Sara Morrey at Sara.morrey@colorado.edu.
