TKE forced off Plattsburgh State campus

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April 27, 2005

Fraternity forced off Plattsburgh State campus

By ANNA JOLLY, Assistant News Editor

PLATTSBURGH ú Another Plattsburgh State Greek organization has been kicked
off campus.

Fraternity Tau Kappa Epsilon, or TKE, has been found responsible of hosting
an alcohol party at 84 Broad St. where students were charged admission.

The organization also reportedly had an ineligible member collecting money
for the party, which took place during the fall 2004 semester.

When the violations occurred, the fraternity was on probation for a fall
2003 suspension resulting from unauthorized pledging activities and aiding
and abetting.

In 2003, members were warned that future violations of Plattsburgh State’s
rules would probably lead to withdrawal of the fraternity’s recognition.

William Laundry, interim vice president for student affairs, reduced that
original sanction from five years to a minimum of three years, according to
a Plattsburgh State press release.

Coordinator of Greek Affairs Allison Swick-Duttine then worked with Tau
Kappa Epsilon during a revitalization process and served as their
new-member educator.

"That’s the frustrating part," she said. "They continued to do the same
things."

Tau Kappa Epsilon had about 20 members that the college knew about and nine
people who were not supposed to be in the organization, Swick-Duttine said.

The fraternity was nationally recognized and had been on campus since the
1980s.

About a month ago, sorority Phi Kappa Chi, also known as Clios, was
permanently suspended for blindfolding members and accepting an ineligible
pledge.

There are now seven sororities and six fraternities left at Plattsburgh
State, Swick-Duttine said, and a few new Greek organizations have gained
approval to recruit members next semester.

Unlike Clios, Tau Kappa Epsilon will have the opportunity to re-establish a
group on campus if there are no further problems involving fraternity
members or their Broad Street residence.

The earliest the group could return is September 2006.

Until then all the fraternity’s operations must cease and all campus
privileges are revoked.

Tau Kappa Epsilon members issued a joint statement Tuesday saying they plan
to cooperate fully in hopes of again gaining college recognition.

A group of brothers relaxing outside 84 Broad St. Tuesday evening did not
want to give their names.

Swick-Duttine believes members of other Greek organizations understand why
organizations with repeat problems are punished by losing their campus status.

"We try to focus on the positive. We have so many groups that are doing
amazing things," Swick-Duttine said. "Sometimes you have to cut some groups
to help the entire community."