University of Texas at Austin Frat Reportedly Throws Border Patrol Party: Attendees Wear Sombreros, Don Names Like 'Pablo Sanchez'
A university fraternity in Texas is receiving unwanted attention for throwing a border patrol-themed party.
The University of Texas at Austin fraternity Phi Gamma Delta, also know as Texas Fiji, is facing an investigation from the school's Office of the Dean of Students for throwing a border patrol-themed party on Saturday. The Daily Texan, the school's newspaper, reported guests wore ponchos, sombreros and construction gear with the names "Jefe" and "Pablo Sanchez."
The paper says the fraternity president Andrew Campbell said the event was meant to be a "western-themed party, which focuses on the traditional old west," but party attendees say the party theme was communicated as "border patrol."
"We notified our chapter prior to the party via email that the theme was Western -- not south of the border or anything Mexican related," Campbell said in an emailed statement. "It was our intention to monitor and enforce this policy to the best of our ability."
The paper's managing editor, Jordan Rudner, said he and another reporter attended the party.
"We heard rumors that the theme was going to be border patrol. And certainly that caught our attention," he said.
Erica Saenz, associate vice president of the University of Texas Division of Diversity & Community Engagement, told USA Today that the school "takes those incidents very seriously."
The University of Texas Division of Diversity & Community Engagement oversees the Campus Climate Response Team and responds to reports of bias incidents. As of Monday afternoon, it's reported nine complaints had been filed about the party.
"We're working with the leadership of the organization as we speak and have prioritized that today," Marilyn Russell, director of sorority and fraternity life in the Office of the Dean of Students, said, according to The Daily Texan. "We're moving quickly to gather information and assess the situation. ... It's of utmost importance."
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