Spring Break
Former frat house becomes public rental
Tyler Lamb
Issue date: 9/10/08 Section: News
University officials have suspended the brothers of Tau Kappa Epsilon- the fourth in the past few years- due to hazing and underage drinking.
The fraternity was put under a three-year suspension this past May, after the University received a tip from an anonymous parent about the frat's activities.
The TKE members had a disheartening start to the 2007 school year when they lost all but the clothes on their backs in a tragic house fire. TKE's misery has now continued and followed them into the 2008 school year.
The fraternity will be able to seek reinstatement on Aug. 15, 2011. If unsuccessful, the TKE's first pledge class will be supervised by the national fraternity organization.
With the national fraternity organization's involvement the TKE's are not allowed to operate out of their house. In addition, they will have a campus ban on advertising and conducting fraternity events.
"It's a three year suspension, but we have the chance to come back after three years, even then though we have a supervision period," sophomore Mike Cubberly said.
Members must also devote 100 hours of campus service to alcohol and hazing education.
The former TKE house, also known as the cavalier house, is now used simply to "house the former TKE members and a few others. It has nothing to do with TKE anymore," Cubberly said.
Due to these heavy sanctions, some former members are now scattered about the four corners of campus. The last year has been like a twisted dream that the TKE members are still trying to shake off.
"[The fire] was bad, and now this, it seems like it all stemmed from the fire. It was just a downfall after that," Cubberly said. "Guys' spirits aren't up, there's a feeling of 'what do we do now?'"
TKE may not have a house of their own anymore or membership in Whitewater's group of fraternities, but what can't be taken away is the camaraderie the brothers have with one another. As Cubberly put it "just hang out."
Leaning on one another the TKEs look to the future knowing that they're down but not out.
The fraternity was put under a three-year suspension this past May, after the University received a tip from an anonymous parent about the frat's activities.
The TKE members had a disheartening start to the 2007 school year when they lost all but the clothes on their backs in a tragic house fire. TKE's misery has now continued and followed them into the 2008 school year.
The fraternity will be able to seek reinstatement on Aug. 15, 2011. If unsuccessful, the TKE's first pledge class will be supervised by the national fraternity organization.
With the national fraternity organization's involvement the TKE's are not allowed to operate out of their house. In addition, they will have a campus ban on advertising and conducting fraternity events.
"It's a three year suspension, but we have the chance to come back after three years, even then though we have a supervision period," sophomore Mike Cubberly said.
Members must also devote 100 hours of campus service to alcohol and hazing education.
The former TKE house, also known as the cavalier house, is now used simply to "house the former TKE members and a few others. It has nothing to do with TKE anymore," Cubberly said.
Due to these heavy sanctions, some former members are now scattered about the four corners of campus. The last year has been like a twisted dream that the TKE members are still trying to shake off.
"[The fire] was bad, and now this, it seems like it all stemmed from the fire. It was just a downfall after that," Cubberly said. "Guys' spirits aren't up, there's a feeling of 'what do we do now?'"
TKE may not have a house of their own anymore or membership in Whitewater's group of fraternities, but what can't be taken away is the camaraderie the brothers have with one another. As Cubberly put it "just hang out."
Leaning on one another the TKEs look to the future knowing that they're down but not out.
Be the first to comment on this story