UTA Suspends Greek Social Events on Campus

The University of Texas at Arlington is suspending all social activities at its fraternities and sororities, university officials said Wednesday. University officials didn't make the move in response to a single incident, but because of "concerns regarding the culture of the fraternal community," said university spokesman Joe Carpenter. Although the...

By Silas Allen

April 4, 2019

Kritchanut/iStock

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18855504",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17105533",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18349797",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17105532",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18349797",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17105535",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

The University of Texas at Arlington is suspending all social activities at its fraternities and sororities, university officials said Wednesday.

University officials didn't make the move in response to a single incident, but because of "concerns regarding the culture of the fraternal community," said university spokesman Joe Carpenter.

Although the university is barring Greek organizations from holding social events, it isn't suspending the organizations themselves, Carpenter said. Organizations may still hold certain events like chapter business meetings and service projects, as long as they're coordinated in advance with UTA's Fraternity and Sorority Life Office or Student Affairs, he said.

The university will assemble a task force to review "the state of affairs within the fraternity and sorority community" and make recommendations for the future, Carpenter said.

"The university hopes this pause will be an opportunity to continue collaboration with current members and alumni to provide an opportunity to foster a commitment that is consistent with the university’s values," he said.

The university is home to 31 fraternity and sorority chapters.

KEEP THE OBSERVER FREE... Since we started the Dallas Observer, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Dallas, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.

Silas Allen has been the Dallas Observer's news editor since March 2019. Before coming to Dallas, he worked as a reporter and editor at the Oklahoman in Oklahoma City. He's a Missouri native and a graduate of the University of Missouri.

Contact: Silas Allen