The committee generally agreed that Eugene Okino had been the victim of racial discrimination, although each member of the committee took a slightly different position. Interfraternity President Poole recognized that while there were no explicit racial requirements, there existed “certain machinery” within the framework of the Sigma Chi constitution that permitted alumni to effectively veto any candidate’s initiation and allow “any desired discriminatory practices [to] be carried out.” While Poole acknowledged the power of alumni to discriminate, he also saw no discriminatory intentions by Beta Pi members, which led him to conclude that local chapters did not have full autonomy.
Another student on the committee, Donald Hanson, said that Sigma Chi “has practiced de facto discrimination… contrary to the wishes of the local chapter” and “must be held guilty of discriminations and of denial of local autonomy.” Hanson recommended that Oregon State withdraw its recognition of the Beta Pi chapter if Sigma Chi did not allow Okino to be initiated, but Hanson emphasized that the Beta Pi students had acted as best they could, and should not be penalized. The university should supply them with housing if they were to lose their building.
Professor of Geology Keith Oles concluded that Sigma Chi did not overtly practice discrimination, but that discrimination could be practiced at both the local level and by alumni intervention due to a “loose and permissive constitution.” While recognizing they did not discriminate against Okino, Oles censured Beta Pi members for making “a tactical error” by asking for alumni input. Since Sigma Chi had not practiced discrimination, Oles suggested no action against the national organization and recommended that the local chapter create new guidelines for such situations. Oles nevertheless recommended withdrawing recognition of Sigma Chi if they did not give their approval to Okino soon.
Professor of Business Law, James Park, took the most conservative position, concluding that whether or not discrimination had taken place had not been determined. Park acknowledged that a possibility existed for discrimination due to the fraternity’s constitution, but he doubted “if we could prove that it was discrimination on account of his race.” Important for Park was that Oregon State “protect” local alumni’s “investment in the house and property.
Despite the various conclusions by members of the committee, on January 6, 1967 they presented an unanimous conclusion to President Jensen: Okino was a “victim of discrimination” and that any decision by the Sigma Chi Grand Council would not change this. They also concluded that other pledges whose initiation was postponed along with Okino’s were victims of the discrimination practiced against Okino. To ensure Beta Pi’s autonomy, the committee recommended that Sigma Chi alumni may give advice regarding pledges, but they could not be involved in final initiation decisions. Finally, the committee recommended that if Okino was not initiated by the end of the Winter term, President Jensen should withdraw OSC’s recognition of Beta Pi. “The longer the delay,” they emphasized, “the greater the discrimination.”
