The Interfratenity Council expressed several procedural concerns Tuesday about NIU’s sanctions to the Sigma Chi fraternity for allegedly performing a racially discriminating skit.

IFC President Tom Zur said the lack of due process by the university suspending Sig Chi’s for one year was a concern of his. He said the sanctions were issued quickly and without consultation from the IFC.

Jon Dalton, vice president for student affairs, said he took action before consulting the IFC because “clear and immediate attention needed to be taken.”

The university’s decision was “swift, not hasty,” said Jeff Cufaude, activities adviser for University Programming and Activities.

Five members of Sig Chi’s performed a lip sync in blackface to the Temptations song “My Girl” as a fundraiser Nov. 20 at the Jungle, 1027 Hillcrest Drive. Some people considered the skit to be racially and sexually derogatory.

Zur said he hopes the IFC will adopt more authority to sanction its own members in the future, especially after the organization amended its constitution to include faculty members on its judicial board.

However, he recommended that the IFC not take any action on the incident until it is fully informed on the matter.

Cufaude said he is still meeting with Dalton to try and have several of the fraternity’s privileges reinstated such as rush activities.

Dalton’s suspension of the fraternity prohibits the fraternity to function in any manner, including participating in rush, social activities and intramural sports.

Cufaude said rush is an important concern because it is “the life blood” of fraternities. Dalton said Sig Chi should lose one-third of its members through graduation in May.

Sigma Phi Epsilon representative Mike Kipp added Sig Chi’s first amendment right to freedom of speech was violated. He said, “I agree what Sig Chi’s did was stupid, but we’re allowed to do stupid things in this country.”

The five members who performed the act put their reputations on the line, not the chapters, Kipp said. He questioned who will judge what is racially discriminating in the future.

Cufaude said, “Greeks are generally viewed as a racist population.” He said greeks need to display sensitivity to others.

The IFC supports cultural sensitivity, Zur said. The IFC’s concerns are procedural, and the organization does not want to hinder other fraternal organizations from participating in public activities.