The fraternity says it is investigating the allegations.
File photo. (AP Photo | Elaine Thompson) NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- A Yale University fraternity is under fire after a New Jersey woman and others alleged its members turned partygoers away from a gathering over the weekend because of their race.
"This weekend I was privy to both explicitly racist and absolutely abhorrent behavior at Yale's chapter of the SAE fraternity," Sofia Petros-Gouin, of Maplewood, posted on her Facebook page.
"It's about time we take a seriously critical look at Greek life in this country in general and the way girls of color are treated at elite universities."
According to the Washington Post, Petros-Gouin is a Columbia University student who was visiting friends at Yale over the weekend when she said she saw dark-skinned girls getting turned away from a Sigma Alpha Epsilon party.
Frat brothers at the door allegedly told the group that they were "only looking for white girls," Petros-Gouin told the Post.
The Yale chapter of the Fraternity reportedly denied the allegation that race was a factor, telling the Yale Daily News that the fraternity only started turning guests away after receiving instruction from the Yale PD to limit the size and noise of the gathering.
A Yale spokesman confirmed that a college dean is investigating the allegations.
The national chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon has been investigating the allegations, it said in a statement on its website. According to the initial investigation, the frat brothers were complying with a police-received noise complaint when they stopped admitting guests, the statement said.
The investigation is ongoing, it said.
"Our chapter at Yale University is comprised of a diverse group of students, and similarly, the social event included a diverse number of attendees," the group said in the statement.
"Our leadership has zero tolerance for any behaviors or actions that deviate from our values, mission and creed."
Petros-Gouin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
