KENT, Ohio -- The Kent State University chapter of a national sorority is on probation over some comments that have angered some of the university's black students, NewsChannel5 reported.

The controversy surrounds an award given out at the Chi Omega formal last Saturday. A student who was catering the event heard an award given out for the "blackest Chi Omega."

Candace Poole said she was shocked to hear applause in the room as a white member accepted the award.

A group of black students met Thursday with sorority members, who said the award was meant as a joke and was the idea of just a few students, including the black date of the recipient.

He said his date received the award because she was motherly and nurturing.

The chapter's president read a statement from the national Chi Omega sorority that said, "The chapter has apologized to those who were offended and has offered a broader apology to the Kent State community and to the national fraternity."

The statement went on to say that the sorority embraces diversity and that the award was the idea of only a few Chi Omega members.

Kent State officials have placed the sorority on probation and are also requiring the students to attend sensitivity training.