The Number Of Official Complaints Against Texas Tech Fraternities May Surprise You

There have been eight official complaints against fraternities since 2011.

“I had no idea it was that low,” Brooks Johnston said. “I’m not saying we do a bunch of crazy stuff, you know, but with this past year, with all these things going on, you would’ve thought there’d be a few here and there.”

Johnston, a member of Phi Gamma Delta, is the risk management chair for the Tech Interfraternity Council, who was voted into his position after the beginning of the fall semester. He was surprised to hear the number of official complaints made against Tech fraternities in the past few years.

According to information obtained through an open records request, there have been eight official complaints made against Tech fraternities between 2011 and October 2014. The accused fraternities were found responsible in five of those complaints, and were punished accordingly based on the violation. The punishments ranged from a one-year probation to a four-year deferred suspension.

Amy Murphy, Ph.D., dean of students and director of the Center for Campus Life, said in an e-mail these number may be low because many issues are resolved within the fraternity chapters.

“I would note that some concerns related to Greek life are resolved informally,” Murphy said via e-mail, “and do not result in formal conduct processes.”

Greeklife

Johnston agreed that many issues are handled within fraternities, and do not typically make it up to the Interfraternity Council. Johnston said when incidents do happen, the Interfraternity Council is one of the first organizations that does something about it.

“If a fraternity gets in trouble for bad behavior, or whatever it may be, we have a judicial board that oversees it,” Johnston said. “And, we do sanctions based on that, just depending on the incident.”

Murphy said in cases regarding fraternities, complaints are investigated as outlined in the Tech Student Handbook. This includes initial notice to a group or individual that a complaint has been made against them, an investigation into the complaint allegations, and ultimately, a resolution. Murphy said local and national representatives of organizations are consulted during investigations.

The Code of Student Conduct lists many principles that could be violated by any group or individual. Some of these include issues with alcohol, firearms, gambling, and sexual misconduct. Johnston said the Interfraternity Council hosts different programs to raise awareness, and hopefully defer these problems from happening.

Brooks Johnston, risk management chair for the Interfraternity Council. Picture from LinkedIn.

Brooks Johnston, risk management chair for the Interfraternity Council. Picture from LinkedIn.

“We make sure they do things event wise towards their policies,” Johnston said. “We try to host events that prevent something from happening.”

One of the largest events hosted by the Interfraternity Council is the Clay Warren Risk Management Retreat. It is required that all new members of sororities and fraternities attend the retreat to learn more about preventing infractions. Johnston said the Interfraternity Council is planning a large event regarding sexual harassment, in light of the Phi Delta Theta infraction that happened earlier this semester.

The fraternities were found responsible in only five of the complaints.

One of the biggest challenges the Office of Student Affairs faces is getting people to report incidents. Murphy said incidents that spread through word of mouth or social media are hard to punish.

“TTU can only respond and provide assistance to those complaints that are reported. Information on social media sites may be difficult to investigate or may not be seen by staff. There are many resources available to students and student organizations. Even if students are unsure how they want to proceed with reports, we would encourage them to talk to either the Student Resolution Center, Fraternity & Sorority Life staff, Office of Student Conduct or Dean of Students for more information.”

To report an incident regarding anything on campus, not just fraternities, submit this form. It is suggested that all complaints be submitted within 10 days of the infraction.

About Sarah Self-Walbrick

Graduate Executive Director — Mass Communication Graduate Student, Class of 2017
Sarah, a Lubbock native, has two bachelor of art degrees in electronic media and communication and journalism, and is pursuing a master's in mass communications. She loves Texas, her husband and dog, and good storytelling.