All Greek life could be gone from the University of Tennessee campus, and all other public colleges in Tennessee, next school year if lawmakers vote in favor of a bill banning the organizations.
The bill's author, Rep. John DeBerry of Memphis, cites concerns about student conduct and safety as his motivation for proposing the measure.
He met with UT's government relations staff last week, which released this statement:
"The University's government relations staff met with Rep. DeBerry concerning the bill last week. We share Rep. DeBerry's concern for the safety and conduct of our state's college students, and our campuses are actively looking for ways to make students safer. Most recently, the UT Knoxville campus implemented the first significant changes to its Student Code of Conduct in more than 40 years. We do not, however, believe that removing Greek Life from campuses is the best way to accomplish desired student conduct or outcomes. In fact, fraternities and sororities often can help improve student success and facilitate life-long bonds of friendship and professional networks. Many such organizations have a service-oriented or professional component that enriches campus communities. We will continue to work with Rep. DeBerry on this issue."- Gina Stafford, Assistant Vice President & Director of Communications, UT
They, along with many students, do not believe removing Greek life from campus will keep students safer.
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About 18 percent of students at UT are part of a fraternity or sorority.
Former UT Interfraternity Council president Hunter Jones said his involvement in Greek life was a huge part of his college experience.
"Greek life gave me a home and kind of gave me a start and a connecting point to so many other things on campus," said Jones.
DeBerry and Memphis Sen. Reginald Tate filed bills in the House and Senate that would ban Greek life at all public universities in Tennessee.
Despite hazing incidents at UT and across the country, Jones doesn't think banning the organizations will do any good.
"As a Greek man we try to hold ourselves to a higher standard," said Jones. "And if someone is not holding themselves to a higher standard it's on all of us to pick up the slack and do better and to hold each other accountable."
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The university has been working to increase accountability, in part by making public all infractions against Greek organizations since the fall of 2016.
Currently, three fraternities are suspended, one is on a deferred suspension, two are on social probation, and five are on disciplinary probation.
But UT, national Greek leadership, Greek and non-Greek students alike, don't think removing the organizations will solve anything.
"I mean hazing would probably go down but college kids are still going to probably drink and get in trouble," said non-Greek UT senior Pelatiah Prince.
10News has reached out to Rep. DeBerry and Sen. Tate for comment.