Fraternity forced off Plattsburgh State campus

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."

Fraternity forced off Plattsburgh State campus