UCLA Investigating Fraternity Party

UCLA officials are investigating claims that a fraternity’s “Tequila Sunrise” party last week was demeaning to Latinos and violated a university moratorium against campus parties with racial, ethnic or sexual themes.

The Friday morning party at Beta Theta Pi fraternity was shut down by university officials in response to complaints from students and campus police, said Allen Yarnell, assistant vice chancellor of student relations.

Protesters, who claim that the party insulted Latino culture, have been holding a round-the-clock sit-in outside the fraternity house since the party, according to Francisco Arellano, a spokesman for the campus Latino group MEChA (Moviamento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan). A candlelight vigil was planned for Wednesday evening, he said.

Last fall, UCLA established a moratorium on campus events with ethnic or sexual themes because of complaints about another fraternity’s annual “Viva Zapata” parties. These parties, held by Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, were criticized by MEChA and other students as a perpetuation of racial stereotypes that should be banned at the university.

The moratorium is in effect for the 1984-85 school year to allow a university commission time to develop a policy on the matter, said Yarnell.

Yarnell said he would not comment on details of the case until an investigation is completed, possibly by the end of this week.

Beta Theta Pi members could not be reached for comment.