It was a speech intended to save lives, a powerful warning from nationally known fraternity expert Mitch Crane: Alcohol can kill, and hazing is anything but brotherhood.
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But, like other unrecognized Greek organizations, Lambda Phi Epsilon was not there. As it turned out, it may have needed Crane's words the most.
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Crane, a retired Pennsylvania district judge and Sigma Phi Epsilon member, said universities have approached the issue in different ways.
"I've seen some say, 'We have nothing to do with them, they're on their own,' " Crane said. "Then, I've seen those that say, 'You must be recognized and meet all of our standards.' "
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"Either you recognize them, hold them close and deal with them or you suffer the bad consequences," he said.
UT officials aren't so sure.
"The question arises, should the university take more decisive measures to ensure that all Greek organizations are a part of the university? I think that's a question yet to be answered," said Vice President for Student Affairs Juan Gonzalez.
Gonzalez said he intends to study the issue but that it is a double-sided coin. A closer relationship between Greek groups and UT could also mean greater liability for the university.
"On the one side, you say you want them closer to you. That means you must supervise them, more training, more education, more advice and council," Gonzalez said. "One assumes that when you increase those types of activities, they'll be more in the mainstream of acting appropriately. So when they don't, that question arises, 'Did you monitor them appropriately?' "
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Changing relations
The university shifted from a close, on-campus matrimony with Greek organizations early in its history to a kind of divorce in the 1970s and 1980s, when fraternities and sororities moved off campus and hired their own staffs, said Jim Vick, former longtime vice president for student affairs. Today, all Greek houses are off campus.
In the late 1980s, the trend of separation reversed, in part because of the 1986 death of 18-year-old fraternity pledge Mark Seeberger, who was handcuffed to a van and pressured to drink.
In 1988, UT created the Greek Life and Education Office to oversee sororities and fraternities. Today, 54 Greek-lettered organizations have joined the office or the five student-led councils within it, Brett said.
Why does someone have to die before these issues get a serious look?
Chron.com | UT rethinks Greek policy in wake of student death
Tags: alcohol death Fraternity Lambda Phi Epsilon University of Texas
