UTA students react to school’s suspension of social events for Greek life groups

Students at the University of Texas at Arlington campus said they were confused Thursday about their school’s decision to suspend all Greek social events, as of Monday.

In a statement, UTA said the suspension was due to “concerns regarding the culture of the fraternal community both at UTA and nationally.”

The university said it will create a campus “Fraternity and Sorority Life Task Force” to review the Greek community and recommend steps to effect positive change in the community culture.

Jannie Heath, a senior at UTA, said confusion was the “general consensus” at the school.

“They haven’t given us a reason, so it’s kind of shady,” she said. “I don’t see a bad culture.”

Fellow senior Caridad Zamarripa agreed.

“It’s weird. They usually just suspend one chapter,” she said.

UTA chief spokesman Joe Carpenter said there wasn’t a specific incident that triggered the university’s decision.

“It wasn’t any one thing,” Carpenter said. “It was a series of concerns.”

Ja-Kobe Gibbons, a freshman, said if one fraternity or sorority was involved, only that chapter should have been suspended.

Kara Annis, also a freshman, said she thought it was “a little extreme to suspend all of it,” if only one chapter made a mistake.

In the past three years, three frats were found responsible at the university for hazing: Delta Sigma Theta, Kappa Delta Chi and Phi Gamma Delta.

In 2018, Sigma Phi Epsilon and Phi Gamma Delta were suspended for providing alcohol to minors.

Annette Hall, a graduate student, said she wants to know what prompted the university to suspend Greek life events.

“If there’s a red flag, it’s something to be looked at,” she said. “But it depends on what they’re investigating.”

During the suspension, fraternity and sorority chapters will be unable to host or participate in social events and functions, including philanthropic events.

Caitlin Cooper, a sophomore, said people join Greek life to branch out and meet people, so taking away social events seems unfair.

“They’re known for partying, but it’s kind of crazy they’re suspending all of it,” sophomore Jasmine Adams added. “It gives people connections for the future.”

Nick Clemente, a junior, put it bluntly: “I think it’s ridiculous.”

This story was originally published April 4, 2019 at 6:14 PM.