TKE-Sac.: their mailbox constructed from a keg

[hoosier]

Noisy neighbors
Campus frat has nearby residents complaining

Curtis Grima
State Hornet
October 06, 2004

All that is visible of the Tau Kappa Epsilon house from Sierra Boulevard in Sacramento is their mailbox constructed from a keg.
Chris Lott/State Hornet

The Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity broke through thin ice recently after repeated noise violations have been ignored.

TKE is facing reprimands from not only Sacramento State, but the county, as well. These charges could possibly result in losing recognition as a fraternity and losing its house on Sierra Boulevard.

Louis A. Camera, director of student activities, said that noise from the TKE house has created bad neighbor relations and that some neighbors are just fed up. He also said this is a repeat issue and that a solution must guarantee that this problem will never occur again.

"After TKE delivers plans to ensure this problem is fixed, Sacramento State will then decide what disciplinary action to take," Camera said.

Camera also said that in some cases a fraternity house could be seized or forced to sell if a substantial problem exists.

"TKE provides good college spirit and every so often problems do arise," Camera said. "But we do have to work with these groups to stop problems from reoccurring."

TKE is a large contributor to the Greek community at Sac State and currently is the largest in total members. TKE won Greek Week last year.

"They make the college atmosphere while providing fun activities for us," student Ashley Westbrook said. "They are a well-rounded group of guys and they bring a lot to the campus."

Neighbors of TKE living on Blackmer Circle and Sierra Boulevard have mixed feelings about their TKE neighbors. One neighbor said that TKE put up a fence but it does nothing for the noise issue. She also said she calls the police because TKE does not follow through on promises to regulate the noise.

"They keep pushing it even though they know they're on thin ice," said a TKE neighbor who was interviewed years ago by the Sacramento Bee for the same noise problems with TKE. "If you want your privacy go to the country, but this is the city."

TKE President Keith Hill said they are working on a contract with both TKE alumni and nationals to alleviate any problems or concerns.

"These plans will be presented to the university this week to find the best possible solution for all parties," Hill said.

Justin Kirk, TKE national representative, refused to comment on the issue but did say that TKE nationals are involved with the case.

Sgt. R.L. Davis, media relations, said that TKE is draining the limited amount of resources the county has.

"It takes five officers to break up some parties, and these officers cannot leave until the party is over and the community is safe," Davis said.

He also said that TKE parties have caused a problem with surrounding residents.

Sacramento District Attorney Lanna Wyant was unable to provide additional information regarding TKE because no specific names have been released.

"After the investigation is over the case is transferred to our office and we decide what charges, if any, and prosecute the offender," Wyant said.

Neighbor Barbara Bassinger and deceased partner Lou Farnsworth developed a relationship with their TKE neighbors that Bassinger considers to be like family. In exchange for a section of land to garden, Farnsworth maintained the grounds of the TKE property. Farnsworth was also declared an honorary member by TKE, and Bassinger said she would be sad to see TKE forced to leave their house.

"Many of the neighbors have complained about TKE because they believe their land is a fire hazard, enough that I personally paid for a gardening service to come and clean it up," Bassinger said. "There are a lot of good memories at their house. Boys need a place like this to mature and learn from each other."

Bassinger said that TKE parties have been a lot calmer recently than in the past.

"They don't leave their beer cans everywhere like they used to and it is usually pretty quiet around 10 or 11 p.m.," Bassinger said._