Reactions to the Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) and the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) award recipients at Sunday night’s Vespers Greek ceremony have left members of the Iowa State greek and non-greek communities in search of a culture change.

Throughout the ceremony, members of the Iowa State greek community booed award recipients from organizations within MGC and the NPHC, according to statements released by Rachel Ramirez, president of the Multicultural Greek Council, and Billy Boulden, assistant dean of students and director of Greek Affairs.

The statements also said that audience members made racial slurs to individuals sitting around them. Others mocked the traditional “calls” of the organizations. Boulden and Ramirez sent emails to their respective organizations Monday night to address said reactions.

“I want you all to know that you and your organizations are valued and respected within our Greek Community,” Ramirez stated in an email address to the MGC and NPHC, “and that I, and our other three council presidents are doing all that we can to address the situation through immediate action.”

Ramirez’s email said that the incident had been reported to the Office of Equal Opportunity and to the Climate Campus Response Team “so that an investigation into the incident may be launched.” The email also stated that the presidents of IFC and CPC will be “moving forward with their council judicial processes to hold these specific chapters responsible.”

Boulden also expressed disdain for the actions of those who participated in the reactions, saying the behavior was not acceptable in an email addressed to all of the greek councils.

“While I understand that for some it may have been the first time you have heard a call from a greek organization, your ignorance is not an excuse,” Boulden said.

Boulden said that too many audience members did nothing to stop the reactions.

“We have to hold the members of our organizations accountable,” Boulden said. “This is what makes us a strong community.”

Boulden also praised the greek community’s effort to raise money for the Special Olympics of Iowa, citing the $377,000 raised through donations that began in early February.

“The greek community helps develop some of the best leaders in the world,” Boulden said. “Unfortunately, many left Vespers hurt and deflated. When we joined our respective organizations we made a promise to be better people.”

Ramirez said that she and the president of the NPHC planned a meeting with Multicultural Student Affairs on Tuesday to discuss how they will proceed. The MGC held a general assembly meeting Wednesday night. Boulden was to attend the meeting, according to the email.