Texas State University suspends Greek life following fraternity pledge's death

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San Marcos police are investigating the death of a 20-year-old Texas State University student. The sophomore was found dead by his friends the morning after attending a Greek life party.                

Texas State has suspended fraternity and sorority chapters following his death.

San Marcos Police said Matthew Ellis was a pledge at Phi Kappa Psi and police believe alcohol may have contributed to his death. 

"Anytime a young person dies, it’s particularly tragic because they haven’t lived a full life at this point. Alcohol plays a role in college life and I would just ask for moderation in that respect," said Commander Kelly Bomers Bach with the San Marcos Police Department.  

Police were called to The Millennium apartment complex on Post Road Monday morning after Ellis was found unconscious and not breathing. 
                                
So far no one has been arrested in connection with the death of the business administration student from Humble, but that doesn't mean no charges will be filed. 

“Charges could range from furnishing alcohol to a minor, on the high end of possibly manslaughter. And those are the charges we have to work with at this point, but it's really early in the investigation for us to make those kind of determinations,” Bomers Bach said.  

Tuesday, Texas State President Denise Trauth released a statement suspending all Greek fraternity and sorority chapters at the university. New member events, social functions and chapter meetings will not be allowed until student affairs completes a review of Greek life at the university. 
                
Students have mixed feelings about the president's decision. 

“I agree with what the president decided to do. I think it's super dangerous and these things have happened before, so I think it's definitely the right and the smart move,” said Texas State Senior Stephanie Cloyd. 

“All Greek life? No. I think maybe just that one that was involved with the incident. I think that would've been a smart move, but, I don't know, I just don't see all of the Greek life being suspended as a good idea considering the good stuff that has come out of some of them,” said Haley Wares who also attends Texas State.  

Some students said tighter rules regarding fraternities and sororities are long overdue as they have gone largely unregulated in the past. 

“They definitely do a lot of dangerous things and I think people know that and they're not doing a lot to stop it. And I think that's super dangerous and waiting for something like this to happen to do something about it, is not something you should wait for,” Cloyd said.  

Still some students feel like the blame has been misdirected at Greek life chapters. 

“What I think is, even if they do suspend the Greek life, there's still going to be parties and it's their decision to drink the appropriate amount and to take care of each other. So I think it's still going to happen whether there's Greek life or not,” said Wares. 

Texas state isn't the only school cracking down on fraternities and sororities. 
                
Last week, Florida State University indefinitely suspended all Greek life after a freshman pledge died. Around the same time, Sigma Phi Epsilon adopted a substance free policy for all their fraternity facilities in the U.S. 

San Marcos police said they expect toxicology results to confirm Ellis' cause of death in six to eight weeks.