Texas State University has recently suspended all Greek life activities due to the death of Matthew Ellis, a pledge for Phi Kappa Psi. This comes on the heels of Greek life suspensions at Penn State and Florida State University.
Ellis was found unresponsive at an off-campus housing unit and later pronounced dead. In a statement, Texas State President Denise Trauth said, “I have asked Dr. Joanne Smith, Vice President for Student Affairs, who has responsibility for the Greek Affairs system, to immediately initiate this review and propose recommendations for reinstating fraternity and sorority chapters that demonstrate a commitment to the core values of Texas State and the ideals established by their respective national organizations.”
While autopsy and toxicology reports have not been released, both the university and the San Marcos Police Department suggested that alcohol might have played a factor in Ellis’s death. Numerous entities, including Texas State, the San Marcos Police Department, and the Alcohol & Beverage Commission, are investigating. Many speculate that criminal charges may be filed in the coming days and weeks.
“The suspension is not a punishment, but a wakeup call. Lower-classmen are grossly undereducated when it comes to drugs and alcohol, and I believe the University is taking appropriate measures given the situation at hand. This is not the first student to die due to drug/alcohol-related incidents, and it won’t be the last. The university is doing what it should have done when similar instances first started,” Miranda Ferris, a senior public relations major, told the Washington Examiner.
Last year, four fraternities were suspended from Texas State. In doing so, Pi Kappa Alpha, Delta Tau Delta, Alpha Tau Omega, and Kappa Alpha received numerous years of suspension due to a death of a student at a joint Halloween party last year. The fraternities each individually received a suspension ranging from two to five years, respectively.
In recent weeks, numerous universities have suspended and/or banned Greek life entirely due to deaths of their members. It has become apparent that either hazing and/or alcohol abuse in college fraternities is a rampant issue. Roughly a week before Ellis’ death, Phi Kappa Psi’s charter was revoked by their national headquarters for an unrelated incident.
Kenton Ellis (no relation), member of Delta Sigma Phi, told the Washington Examiner, “Greek life as a whole is extremely powerful and has unlimited potential for good. Unfortunately, we as a community have not worked to reach that potential and instead choose to not only go against the core values of our individual organizations, but also the values of our University.” He continued, “Although the suspension on Greek Life is a severe measure in some eyes, I, as a member of Greek Life, see the necessity for it. It is time that the Greek Community band together to change the hostile community we have created on this campus and strive to reach our potential for good. Given the opportunity from the school, I feel that Greek Life can and will change for the better.”
Mason McKie is currently a senior at Texas State University, studying political science with minors in geography and history.
