Samford president 'repulsed' by offensive sorority T-shirts; uni - WBRC FOX6 News - Birmingham, AL

Samford University has issued an apology for an “offensive image” on T-shirts produced by one of their sororities.

The shirts were produced by the Kappa chapter of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority, which had them made “despite the university’s denial of the project through our normal review and approval process," according to the university. 

The shirts appear to show an African-American person eating a watermelon and slaves picking cotton among scenes printed on a map of Alabama.  

“This is completely inconsistent with the university’s mission and values,” Philip Poole, Samford's executive director of communications, said in a statement.

The communications director said the shirts were not approved by the university, but the vendor printed them anyway and delivered them to the sorority. Poole said the shirts arrived after the formal. It's not clear if they were given out to students or worn. 

Poole said the formal was not held on campus. 

Samford officials said they will be following their procedures as quickly possible to address the “violation of Samford’s values community.”

Samford Student Life tweeted an image of the apology on Friday.

Samford President Andrew Westmoreland also wrote a person apology to all Samford students and faculty on Friday morning, saying he was "repulsed" by the image, calling it an "abhorrent, disrespectful expression that is completely inconsistent with our core principals."

A copy of the president's email to students and faculty is below:

Students and employees—
 
As we proceed with commencement ceremonies today and tomorrow, my heart is aching with developments of the past few hours.  If you are unfamiliar with the details, please let me offer them to you.
 
Shortly after 6:30 a.m. today I learned that a t-shirt that was created and produced by Samford’s Kappa chapter of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority, featuring graphic art in the shape of Alabama, with an illustration of an African-American person in one corner of the shirt, holding a slice of watermelon.  I think that I do not need to say that this is a violation of our core principles at Samford, but I will state it anyway:  this is an abhorrent, disrespectful expression that is completely inconsistent with our core principles.  
 
This morning we have communicated the full extent of our frustration to the leadership of the local chapter and to the international office of Alpha Delta Pi.  Our values process will determine any possible actions taken regarding the chapter or any individuals involved in the design of the shirt.
 
My understanding is that the design of the shirt was rejected by members of our university staff during an approval process, but that the shirt was printed without our knowledge.  We will, of course, conduct a thorough review of that process.
 
There is no doubt that this graphic illustration on a sorority t-shirt does not capture the thoughts of our entire campus, but there is also no doubt that each of us associated with Samford bears responsibility whenever disrespect appears.  It is a poignant, gripping reminder that, regardless of progress made, additional progress awaits us.  
 
Let me add this personal word to our employees and students of color, in the hope that you can know of my personal embarrassment.  I was repulsed by the image.  I lack the words to express my own sense of frustration.  I am certain that you will receive apologies from those who were responsible for creating the shirt, but I want you to know now of my personal apology for the fact that it happened.   We share intense sorrow, even on a morning in which we are called to celebrate the graduation of so many of our students.  I will admit that it is difficult for me to smile amidst the sadness that I feel right now.
 
Andy Westmoreland

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