Panel of UT Latino community discuss UT’s decision to not take punitive action against Texas Fiji

*A follow up to the Border Patrol party story out of the University of Texas at Austin. The Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, known as Fiji, came under scrutiny after the “Border Patrol” party which Fiji claims it was a western themed event. There were protests, but in the end no sanctions. In response the UT Department of Mexican American and Latino Studies organized a forum to discuss the lack of punishment. It’s a relevant conversation in light of the recent news out of the University of Oklahoma, where members of the U of O chapter of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity were recorded doing a racist chant. VL

By Adam Hamze, The Daily Texan

On Monday, a panel of UT faculty and students discussed the University’s decision not to take punitive action against Texas Fiji after its Feb. 7 party guests said was “border patrol” themed.

“I’m not satisfied,” Domino Perez, director of the Center for Mexican American Studies, said. “I want more to be done. I want more to be done so everyone on campus can feel safe, and students don’t have to be the subject of hurtful displays.”

The Department of Mexican American and Latino Studies held a forum to discuss the University’s decision to not punish the fraternity. 

The fraternity’s party was intended to have a “Western” theme, according to Fiji president Andrew Campbell. Many attendees wore sombreros, ponchos and construction hats with names such as “Jefe” and “Pablo Sanchez” written on them. 

Days after the party, the Office of the Dean of Students opened a formal investigation into the party but decided not to take action. Soncia Reagins-Lilly, senior associate vice president for the Dean of Students, said last week in an interview with the Texan that the fraternity did not violate any University rules.

Click HERE to read the full story.

[Photo courtesy of The Dail Texan]