Greek Grief

SAN MARCOS, TX – Greek life at Texas State University is reeling following the suspension of
all Greek fraternity and sorority chapters after the tragic death of a student Monday morning.
Matthew Ellis, a Phi Kappa Psi pledge and Texas State sophomore, was found not breathing and
unresponsive by several friends around 11 a.m. on Monday, November 13th. The friends
immediately called emergency services, however they were unable to resuscitate Ellis and he
was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
Later that day, Texas State university President Denise Trauth announced the indefinite
suspension of all Greek activities pending university and San Marcos police department
investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of Ellis. “As a result of this tragedy, I
have suspended activities of all Greek chapters at Texas State,” Trauth said in an email
distributed to all university students and staff. “It is imperative that our entire university
community develop a culture that places the highest priority on the safety of its students, faculty,
and staff.”
The future of Greek life at Texas State has been a major subject of debate on campus in recent
years, particularly following the death of another student last October in a tragedy that resulted in
four different fraternities being kicked off campus. Though hazing has not yet been determined
to be a factor in Ellis’s death, hazing issues have long been the chief weakness of fraternities and
sororities alike nationwide. According to the nonprofit StopHazing foundation, 73 percent of
students participating in social fraternities and sororities have experienced at least one hazing
behavior.
Phi Kappa Psi, the fraternity to which Ellis belonged, has been under particularly intense scrutiny
as of late. Even prior to the tragedy on Monday, Phi Kappa Psi was already under investigation
by both Texas State as well the fraternity’s national chapter following an initial complaint
received by the university on Sept 21st. This complaint lead to the launching of a formal
investigation which culminated in the national organization suspending Phi Psi’s local chapter
last week.
“It’s honestly been a long time coming,” said Jake Moorman, 24, who was an active member of
Phi Kappa Psi for two years before dropping from the organization one semester prior to his
graduation from Texas State in May 2016. “Everybody knows that basically all fraternities haze,
whether they admit it or not, which wasn’t a big deal in my opinion. But it was getting
ridiculous, I won’t go in to detail but it was completely out of hand. It really sucks that
something like this had to happen in order to get everyone’s attention.”
Though reactions to the suspension have been varied, many in the Greek community have been
understanding of the need for an investigation. Chris Castillo, 23, of Plugerville is a senior at
Texas State and is the social chair of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, commonly known around
campus as SAE. Castillo recognizes that though most Greeks were displeased to hear about the
cancellation of all fraternity events, the need for such drastic action was evident.
Castillo and the brothers of SAE take part in a Greek intramural exercise shortly before the suspension of all
Greek life on campus. Castillo feels that such activities are a vital part of the student experience .

“We’re all upset after hearing about what happened to Matt,” said Castillo. “I’m fairly confident
that no Greek was happy to learn about the suspension, however I don’t think that there was any
other consequence that would serve as such an eye opener as suspension. For Greeks, we must
present our case and really show how we contribute to this school and this city. Having to apply
for review for reinstatement will make sure we take a step back and refocus on all the positives,
rather than all the negative things you hear about Greek life in the media.”
Castillo later went on to note that President Trauth has indicated in talks with Greek leadership
that she is adamant about a prompt and thorough review and reinstatement process beginning
immediately.
While the general consensus around campus seems to be that Greek life will be making a return
in time for the spring semester, no decisions are expected to be made until all investigations have
been concluded.