Following a series of incidents on campus involving hazing and alcohol consumption by fraternities (the most serious of which resulted in a student being treated at UT for severe alcohol poisoning, which some members of the fraternity surmised was due to ingestion via an alcohol enema), Chancellor Cheek appointed a 24-member task force. It was composed of sorority and fraternity alumnae, UT staff, and current student members of sororities and fraternities and was to make recommendations about the way in which the Greek system should be modified to reflect campus and national fraternity policies and ideals. The task force issued its report on March 11, 2013.
The task force recommended establishing a strong and clearly articulated standard of expected conduct concerning the use of alcohol and other substances and promotion of hazing at housing facilities of Greek organizations; a vigorous reeducation effort for members of Greek organizations; requiring a live-in adult (not an undergraduate or graduate student) house director in all houses on UT property; requiring Greek organizations to obtain an experienced financial adviser to assist in developing and maintaining fiscal responsibility; institution of a “good Samaritan policy” under which students would be immunized against formal charges of violations of the university’s substance consumption rules when engaged in obtaining or receiving medical assistance needed as a result of substance abuse; review and clarification of rules and processes with respect to UT’s disciplinary actions against students and organizations; and formation of regular, mandatory roundtable meetings among chapter presidents and chapter advisers to meet for interaction among themselves and with university administrators about issues of concern.