Students plan to file formal complaints Monday against two fraternities, accusing the organizations of hosting parties in which participants wore racially insensitive costumes.
Onaje Barnes, an economics senior, said he and other students plan to file a complaint with Greek Life and Education regarding a "Gin and Juice Party" held by Kappa Alpha Order on Jan. 31.
Tim Weaver, president of Kappa Alpha, said the party's theme was meant to idolize rap music and popular culture icons and that he did not realize people were going to be offended.
"It seems there were some people that showed up with extremely offensive T-shirts," said Weaver, an undeclared junior. "I do apologize for that part of it. We do not think it should have been that big of a deal. It came at a bad time, I think."
Barnes said the problem is that people think this behavior is acceptable.
"The bigger issue is not that the party occurred and people were doing this, but that everybody thinks it's OK," Barnes said. "This is obvious proof that racism and stereotypes still occur on campus on a daily basis."
Dean of Students Teresa Graham Brett was informed of the Kappa Alpha party as well as Halloween parties thrown by Kappa Alpha and Phi Gamma Delta. Students approached her with photographs of the parties taken by a local party photographer.
Some pictures of the Phi Gamma Delta party included at least on person wearing black body paint. Chris Knox, Phi Gamma Delta historian, said he did not see anyone wearing such costumes.
"It is an open party and it's a Halloween party, and we are not going to censor people's costumes," said Knox, a history sophomore. "If we saw something that was racially insensitive, we would not let them in."
Brett said she found the costumes highly offensive, and she is looking into actions that can be taken against the fraternity.
"I feel like this has really harmed the entire University community," Brett said. "There is already a lot of tension on campus right now around a number of issues, and I think this just adds to that tension. We are going to look at all possible avenues trying to hold them accountable."
The Interfraternity Council's constitution prohibits harassment in Section 2 of the Code of Conduct:
"All Chapters and/or their representative members are not to engage in any form of harassment of any individual or group. Harassment is defined as extreme or outrageous acts or communication that are intended to harass, intimidate or humiliate an individual or group."
Chris Eyhorn, executive director of the Interfraternity Council, said the IFC condemns the actions of individuals at these parties and that the situation does not follow IFC policies.
After a formal complaint is filed, the IFC judicial board will review the case and make a decision on whether the incidents violated the code of conduct.
Eyhorn, an economics sophomore, said he plans to have a roundtable discussion with the presidents of UT fraternities to discuss these issues.
"It is not right to offend any groups by costumes, and they need to inform their individual members that it will not be tolerated," Eyhorn said.
Eyhorn said chapters are responsible for preventing offensive behavior at their parties.
"It is up to the individual chapter - the guys working the door - to filter out that stuff," Eyhorn said. "It is almost impossible to control what people are wearing, but you can keep them out of your party."
Barnes said he wants to see the Kappa Alpha and Phi Gamma Delta chapters removed from the University.
"We are going to try to make examples out of them first, but I am sure they are not the only people having these parties," Barnes said. "We are still going to attempt to get proof of other instances.
"As a black student, it makes me feel that I do not want to be here and that I am not welcome here I have a younger sister who is about to graduate from high school, and it is sad for me to have to tell her that I do not want her to come here. Right now, I would not really recommend this school to any black student. Why should we come? Why should any minority student come?"
Incidents of racism at fraternity events have been publicized at universities across the country, including Auburn University, Oklahoma State University and most recently Texas A&M University. Students at A&M planned to have a "ghetto party" on Martin Luther King Day, but it was canceled after administration officials heard of the plans.
Similar complaints were made against a Kappa Alpha order at the University of Virginia, where guests at a party wore blackface. The fraternity was cleared of any responsibility by an interfraternity council.
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