FIJI Fraternity of University of Texas Bans Interracial Dating, Mexicans & Gays

Prentiss Riddle posted a photo of a set of offensive and ‘confidential’ rules for pledges from University of Texas’ Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji) fraternity on Flickr in 2007. The nasty rules include: No interracial dating, No Mexicans, NO FAGETRY (meaning No gays), and No being a pussy.

@OU_Unheard FIJI fraternity UT rules, “No interracial dating” pic.twitter.com/1rjbHL8uGE

— John Kilgore (@johnckilgore) March 9, 2015

The letter was copied and posted around campus and on social media sparking outrage in the US and Canada with people taking to Twitter to vent.

Young racists turn into older racists who SWEAR there’s no bias in hiring, or school discipline or who gets opportunities or breaks in life — Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) March 9, 2015

Wow UT frat FiJi racist towards Mexicans And others… And your going to make excuses for this Wow,No backbone @UTAustin

— Jacob C. Howell (@hollywoodhowell) March 10, 2015

Now that reports are surfacing that the song is also sung at the SAE at UT and Louisiana Tech, what should become of this frat in general? — Racey Burden (@raceyburden) March 10, 2015

@UTAustin Your student body is angry and upset. How many more of these acts do we need to experience to have justice? pic.twitter.com/rGZlaggvYn

— ernesto ➶ (@emtz2012) March 9, 2015

@AlexaJordan24@imnothoracio@BootyCry UT needs to recognize that something doesn’t have to be overt 1950s racism to be hurtful or racist — mango baby (@neuroluv) March 9, 2015

The fraternity president apologized last month after members and guests wore Mexican costumes to the “western-themed” annual Fiji Marshals party. While the University of Oklahoma suspended SAE for its racist chant, the University of Texas hasn’t done anything to discipline Phi Gamma Delta even after more than 1,000 Texas students asked the university president to take stringent action against the UT fraternity.

So #SAE frat @ #OU gets suspended for racial chat, but #Fiji @ #UT can throw racially themed party & nothing happen. #GotIt

— Chris Shadrock (@ChrisShadrock) March 9, 2015

#RespectMyCulture UT Austin students gather in regards to the Texas FIJI “border patrol” themed party pic.twitter.com/CpXVCDRgvY — Sandy (@sandy__marin) February 12, 2015

UT tries to address allegations of frat party racism as students bemoan the admin’s failure to act. http://t.co/aU5YG7hXQd

— Austin Chronicle (@AustinChronicle) February 20, 2015

@imnothoracio While the behavior doesn’t mirror UT core values, it’s within students’ right to freedom of speech at private off campus event — UT Austin (@UTAustin) February 27, 2015

PHOTOS: UT students rally against racism in wake of “border patrol” frat party reports: http://t.co/DciRSXW9NZpic.twitter.com/NiRoq4kjqw

— Austin Statesman (@statesman) February 13, 2015

After the uproar, President of the University of Texas, Bill Powers, was forced to issue a statement:

Many of you have read that the president of the University of Oklahoma, David Boren, has expelled two students and cut ties to OU’s chapter of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity after a racist chant by its members was captured on video. This has renewed questions about our response to an off-campus UT Austin fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta fraternity (FIJIs), that hosted a party where some guests dressed in costumes expressing racial stereotypes. Both of these incidents were hurtful and offended many. I deplore this behavior, which is contrary to the core values of The University of Texas at Austin.

Our dean of students has worked extensively with the group to educate its members on the harm it has caused and to reconcile it to the greater community. The FIJIs have apologized, have been fully engaged with the dean of students’ efforts, and have reached out to Latino groups. The FIJIs and one Latino group collaborated on a recent day of service. Much work remains but this is a positive start. 

Additionally, a photo of alleged FIJI pledge rules has surfaced online. This ugly document appeared in 2007 and was largely believed to be a hoax even then.