The news that the University of Wisconsin had placed an emergency suspension on Delta Upsilon shocked both the UW student body and this board. The allegations of DU members using racial slurs and throwing bottles at two black women cannot and should not be taken lightly because of the current sensitivity to racial issues on this campus.

Regardless of whether this incident had happened in a fraternity house or in a Lakeshore residence hall, any instance of racism here sets back UW’s commitment to diversity and worsens its reputation among students of color who have a right to feel safe in Madison. If the men verbally assaulted the women, they deserve the scrutiny and attention that should act as an example of how UW students should not treat each other.

The incident, however, should not be an indictment of the entire Greek system.

Although being the subject of unfortunate news stories has become something of a tradition on Langdon Street in the last several years, suggesting that a culture of racism within the Greek system caused the incident is inaccurate. Fraternities often empower students and provide an important philanthropic resource to the community.

Because of this, we hope the Greek community takes the initiative to see this news not as an excuse to become unnecessarily defensive, but instead an incident that they should unequivocally condemn to maintain their reputation. An expression of sympathy for the victims from Interfraternity Council President Owen Hull was an important step in the right direction.

Unfortunately, students still have the potential to exhibit racism, and the DU case appears to be an example of this potential. Now is not the time for skepticism and name-calling. Now is a perfect opportunity to recognize the imperfections of UW students and work toward a resolution of one of the most pressing issues affecting our community.