SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A judge has upheld the suspensions of several fraternity members at Syracuse University who were captured on video using racial slurs and simulating sexual assault.

Syracuse.com reported Wednesday the judge said in his ruling issued this week that the university was “clearly within guidelines” when it suspended the 18 Theta Tau fraternity members last spring.

The video posted by a university newspaper in April showed members of the fraternity laughing at performances that included racist language against blacks, Jews and Hispanics and simulated sex acts.

The university expelled the fraternity.

University spokeswoman Sarah Scalese says the judge’s decision reaffirms that officials took proper action to defend the university’s standards of conduct.

An attorney for the students says they plan to appeal.