A decision made last Wednesday to ban Sigma Delta Tau sorority from the Greek Variety Show caused an uproar in the Greek community.
The punishment was so contested that it was partially overturned just two days later to allow the sorority to participate in the event, but without the right to be judged.
This administrative change was facilitated by the input of concerned parents, staff members and fellow Greek students.
“It was great to have so many people behind us,” said SDT Chapter President, Adrianna Lauricella.
This widespread Greek support for the sorority’s right to participate in the event was made all the more telling by the first place awards they earned in the last consecutive four competitions.
It serves as surprising testament to the spirit of unbiased sportsmanship within the Greek community.
“Usually you try to eliminate the competition,” said sorority vice president Melissa Assencoa, “but a member of a fraternity told us that not having SDT would be like not having a half-time show in the Super Bowl.”
Lauricella said there were three distinct accusations that lead to the initial expulsion of SDT from the event, at least two of which she and her sorority sisters contested.
Lauricella said complaints against the Greek organization included improper reservation of practice space, overworking of new recruits and subsequent academic irresponsibility and paint damage to an Austin Hall common room carpet.
Both the SDT president and vice president claimed the bureaucracy involved in booking campus rooms is incredibly difficult and time consuming.
They also contest that damage to school property, an offense that they are more than willing to right through monetary reparations, is no grounds upon which to ban the organization from participation.
Jaclyn Carden, assistant director of OSLE and the staff member most widely accused by the Greek community for the initial disciplinary verdict, did not respond to questions for comment.
Unlike previous years, sororities and fraternities participating in the Greek Variety Show (formerly known as Greek Sing) have paired for performances.
Because of the significant amount of planning and practice SDT has put into the event with their dance partners, fraternity Sigma Chi, the disruption caused by the accusations was damaging to both organizations.
Though SDT was not judged for their performance in the show, their Sigma Chi partners were.
Bobby Winsler, Sigma Chi president, said his fraternity was randomly paired with SDT.
“We’re going to go out there with them and put on the performance we’d been working so hard on,” Winsler said the Tuesday before the show.
Winsler added that he wished the sorority could be judged, but understood the consequences for SDT’s actions.
“We’re happy they’re reinstated, but we wish they’d gone all the way and allowed them to be judged.”
The sorority is grateful, however, for the return of their right to participate in the event, with or without the possibility of winning.
“We’re really happy they reconsidered and let us perform,” said Lauricella.
“We’re thankful for support from the other Greek organizations, OSLE, and even Jaclyn herself.”
Jeffrey Palmer can be reached at jpalmer@ut.edu.