The Kappa Sigma – Nu Omicron fraternity tore down its annual “Box-A-Thon” box today after UTD administration asked for its removal on their second day of fundraising.
Kappa Sigma members erected the box in the Plinth yesterday, intending to live out of it for a week to “raise awareness and donations for homeless veterans,” according to a Give Pulse post the organization made for the event.
The chapter has been hosting the Box-A-Thon fundraiser for veterans every year since 2000. This is the first reported instance of UTD administration asking for the box’s removal. At 11:20 p.m. last night, a UTDPD officer told The Retrograde that the chapter is allowed to put the box up, but “can’t stay [there] overnight.”
“They aren’t allowed to sleep or camp out there, but they let them leave the box encampment,” the officer said. “As far as I am aware it is approved as long as they stay within the hours they were approved for.”
The Student Union’s event scheduling software Mazévo shows that Kappa Sigma has the Plinth space reserved for their fundraiser from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. between Sep. 23 and. 26. A banner on the scheduling website reads: “Important Notice: Policies and procedures for fall 2025 are currently under development and may be subject to change.”
The Retrograde reached out to UTD today for a statement on the Box-A-Thon. UTD has not yet responded to The Retrograde’s questions, but Dean of Students Amanda Smith did provide the following statement: “We will investigate this matter and take corrective action as necessary.”
In late June, SB 2972 — a state law limiting expressive activity on public university campuses — was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott. UTD updated its free expression policy, UTDSP5001, in August to limit expression on campus, including bans on amplified sound and temporary living structures like the box, in accordance with state law. The policy says “exhibits” like the box can be displayed past 10 p.m. with special authorization from the Dean of Students office.
A representative of the Dean of Students office said students may fill out the General Exhibit and A-Frame Exhibit Request Form on the Dean of Students website to set up structures like the box at the Plinth, in addition to making a Mazévo reservation.
Dan Goodwin, director of the Student Union, arrived at the Plinth around 3 p.m. to oversee the removal of the wooden frame and trash remains of the Box-A-Thon. Chapter members finished removing the box by 3:40 p.m.
The Retrograde spoke to a Kappa Sigma member at the remains of the fundraiser who said the chapter intended to go through the request process again to continue fundraising for the rest of the week.
