An email from a University of Maryland, College Park fraternity member was "racist, sexist and misogynist in condoning non-consensual sexual contact," President Wallace D. Loh said Wednesday. But he said the school has concluded that it did not violate university policy.
The email, which circulated on social media before spring break, prompted outrage from students and university officials.
In a letter addressed to the "University of Maryland community," Loh said investigators have concluded that "this private email, while hateful and reprehensible, did not violate university policies and is protected by the First Amendment."
"However, this determination does not mitigate the fact that the email is profoundly hurtful to the entire university community," Loh said. "It caused anger and anguish, pain and fear, among many people."
Loh included a statement that he said came from the student who wrote the email.
"I apologize for the pain that I have caused you, the entire University of Maryland community, and many others who were offended by my words," wrote the student, who was not identified. "For this, I am deeply sorry. I regret sending that email more than I'll ever be able to put into words. I know there is no way to erase this incident or the agony it has caused, but I want you to know that I will strive to never use such language again.
"I have learned an important life lesson, realizing there is no room for hate or prejudice of any kind in our community. I am committed to becoming a better person, a person that appreciates differences."
Loh said the student's parents have also apologized, and the student has offered to undergo diversity training and perform community service.
Loh said he has accepted the apology and encouraged the rest of the university to embrace "restorative justice" rather than "legal justice."
"We want this student to know that the University of Maryland is a strong community that lives by the core values we profess," he wrote.
Officials said last week that the student will not return to campus by mutual decision of the university and his family.
Loh said the Student Government Association and Multicultural Involvement and Community Advocacy would host a town hall meeting at 3 p.m. Thursday in the Stamp Union Colony Ballroom and invited students to attend.
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