A fraternity at the University of Texas-Austin will avoid punishment for a “border patrol”-themed party it held last month, the Daily Texan reported Monday.
The Feb. 7 party at Texas Fiji officially had a “Western” theme, but several attendees said the theme was communicated to them as “border patrol” instead. Many attendees arrived in outfits representing Mexican stereotypes, ranging from sombreros and ponchos to construction hats paired with worker nametags like “Jefe” and “Pablo Sanchez.” Other guests dressed up in military gear. (RELATED: At Dartmouth, ‘Fiesta’ Is Racist And People Can’t Use It)
The party resulted in over 20 complaints to the university’s Campus Climate Response Team as well a major protest by several hundred people outside Fiji’s frat house.
However, according to campus authorities, the fraternity didn’t break a single rule, thanks to the fact the party occurred off-campus. As a result, no punishment will be forthcoming, despite demands from
“While the behavior doesn’t mirror UT core values, it’s within students’ right to freedom of speech at private off campus event,” the college said on its official Twitter account.
Fraternity parties have repeatedly landed in hot water for being potentially offensive to Hispanics. Just three years ago at UT, two sororities landed in hot water for holding a fiesta-themed party some complained was full of racist stereotypes. Another fraternity that same year canceled a party after student backlash to a planned event where guests would scale an obstacle intended to represent the U.S.-Mexico border.
More recently, Phi Delt fraternity at Dartmouth College was compelled to cancel a planned party after complaints that its “Phiesta” name appropriated Hispanic culture.
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