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Fraternity put on ice for party

By KYLIE CRAIG
Alligator Writer

Tau Epsilon Phi Fraternity (U Fla) was put on social suspension by the Greek Judicial Board on Wednesday evening after the fraternity hosted an unregistered party Aug. 20.

The infraction is one of several occurring recently within the Interfraternity Council, as Tau Epsilon Phi is one of three fraternities facing punishment in the next month.

TEP President Brett Lieberman said fraternity members were holding a "brotherhood" event at their chapter house the night of the party.

Lieberman said he ordered a Pay-Per-View fight for members living in the house to watch, all of whom were under 21 at the time.

Lieberman then left the house to visit his fiancée, and the fraternity members were left "in charge of themselves."

Former TEP Vice President Jason Lutin investigated the incident and said that after speaking with members present at the party, he discovered that seven underage members called fraternity alumni, who then brought other guests and beer to the house.

In his opening statement to the judicial board, Lieberman said, "We're embarrassed for ourselves. We're embarrassed for the Greek community. Something like this will never happen again."

He also noted the fraternity had not been in front of the judicial board in "a very long time."

Lieberman said there were no executive members present after he stepped out. The house just opened up for members to move back in the day before the party.

Police reports stated there were approximately 150-200 people at the house. However, Lieberman said the number was closer to 80.

Following the incident, the fraternity kicked out close to 25 members, who Lieberman said were "a bad influence on the others," and TEP National Headquarters put the organization on social probation until Spring.

The fraternity also sent letters to alumni who provided the beer saying TEP was embarrassed by their actions and banned them from the house for a year.

Along with social suspension through Dec. 17, the Greek Judicial Board also implemented social probation through Spring 2006.

The fraternity also has been involved in several community service projects since the incident.

One of the projects was the TEP Trot 5K, which was the first philanthropic event the fraternity has held in at least six years.

Lieberman said it was a challenge because none of the current members had ever been around so see a philanthropic event take place.

"TEP is in the middle of a culture change. It's all going in the right direction," Lieberman said.