AUSTIN -- A University of Texas fraternity is getting national attention for hosting a party that some are calling racist. On Saturday, members of Phi Gamma Delta, or Texas Fiji, hosted a "Western" themed party at their fraternity house.
"We heard rumors that the theme was going to be border patrol. And certainly that caught our attention," said Jordan Rudner, managing editor of UT's student newspaper The Daily Texan.
Rudner and a reporter for the paper went to the party to investigate and learned that there was some truth to the rumor. Students were dressed in ponchos and sombreros. Some wore construction uniforms with Hispanic names written on them, while others donned military uniforms.
Rudner said she spoke with attendees who said the theme was "border control."
"That is what party attendees confirmed. I know that wasn't the official title of the event but everyone there seemed to think that was what the theme was," Rudner added.
"The University takes those incidents very seriously," said Erica Saenz, associate vice president of the University of Texas Division of Diversity & Community Engagement (DDCE).
DDCE jointly oversees the Campus Climate Response Team, which responds to reports of bias incidents. As of Monday afternoon, nine complaints had been filed about the party.
"It's unfortunate because we are trying to promote a campus climate that is welcoming and inclusive for all and when these incidents happen they just kind of set us back a little bit," Saenz added.
Students we talked with agreed.
"They should have just changed the theme," said UT junior Andre Galuban. "I don't think it's ever okay to just, you know, make fun of a culture or poke on a culture like that."
Mat Panturu agreed, "I don't think that's okay at all. UT prides itself on being one of the most diverse schools around so why would you do that?"
KVUE News reached out to members of Phi Gamma Delta, but they did not respond.
