OSU student apologizes for social media post
STILLWATER — An Oklahoma State University student apologized Thursday to the OSU community, “especially our African American students,” for a social media post OSU President Burns Hargis called “unacceptable and disturbing.”
“I am responsible for the racially charged social media post,” Jake Pulliam wrote in a letter Thursday.
“My post exhibited unacceptable and reprehensible language that was hurtful to the Oklahoma State University family. I do not believe my post represents the way I was raised nor the moral values that were instilled in me.
“Further, I am ashamed of and disappointed in myself for showing such an extreme lack of character. I expect more out of myself than what I demonstrated.”
The post to Snapchat appeared Monday with a caption that used a racial epithet. Tuesday was the first day of classes at OSU.
“The start of the spring semester has been marred by a racially charged social media post that is unacceptable and disturbing. The university has met with the student involved and he has been removed from his position in residential life,” Hargis said in a statement Wednesday.
“It is a shame he would exercise his right of free speech in a hurtful and insensitive way. It is especially reprehensible that this occurred as our nation celebrated the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King.
“Intolerance and discrimination of any person or group is not acceptable on the Oklahoma State University campus. Offensive, hurtful language only seeks to divide and damage our campus community.”
Pulliam and his parents met Wednesday with Leon McClinton, director of housing and residential life, about the incident, OSU spokesman Gary Shutt said.
Pulliam was removed from his student staff position in Drummond Hall, where members of OSU’s chapter of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity are living while their house is being renovated, Shutt said.
OSU’s office of Greek life confirmed Pulliam was dismissed from the fraternity.
“For my actions, I am truly sorry and I want to apologize to everyone I have hurt and disappointed,” Pulliam stated.