Hello bess1-ga,
I appreciate your concern about your grandson’s welfare as he begins
his college life at San Diego State University. I’m not surprised that
you’re confused by the information you’ve gathered. My research shows
that there has been a lot of controversy around this chapter of Tau
Kappa Epsilon. Here are the facts that address the statements from the
university that the fraternity has been expelled and the claims by TKE
that the matter has been settled.
Tau Kappa Epsilon was expelled from the San Diego State University
campus in December 2000 for a hazing incident earlier that year. The
university’s website shows that their status has not changed. It
explicitly warns parents that TKE “had its on-campus status suspended
for an indefinite period in 2000 for hazing and alcohol violations.”
They also note that “although the fraternity continues to operate, it
is not recognized by the University or the IFC.”
News reports at the time of the suspension noted that “TKE will be
eligible to apply for re-colonization in 2003-04.” The fraternity may
be in the process of attempting to get this reinstatement but at this
time they are still suspended.
According to various news reports the TKE San Diego State Chapter
continues to operate off-campus without Interfraternity Council
recognition. The national TKE organization disagreed with the
University’s decision and allowed the chapter to keep operating.
The TKE chapter was involved in another alcohol-related incident in
February, 2002, when two freshmen were killed after leaving a Tau
Kappa Epsilon party. This may impact the fraternity’s application for
reinstatement.
The national TKE office has a website that you can research for
additional information. The San Diego chapter only has a place holder
promising “new web page coming soon.” The chapter continues to be
active and has gotten some press coverage for community affairs.
Unfortunately, alcohol abuse continues to be a problem on many
campuses. The articles I’m including may help you get a better
perspective on the situation. The links I’ve included will take you to
official contact people at both the university and the fraternity if
you want to contact them directly for additional information about the
current situation.
I wish you well in helping your grandson make a wise decision about
his fraternity affiliation.
All the best.
czh
=================================================================
CURRENT STATUS OF TAU KAPPA EPSILON AT SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY
=================================================================
SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY
--------------------------
http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/cfsl/noflash/ifc.html
San Diego State University -- Division of Student Affairs – Center for
Fraternity and Sorority Life -- Greek governing councils
The Interfraternity Council (IFC) is the governing body for the
national general residential fraternities. (All member fraternities
are members of the National Interfraternity Conference and all operate
chapter houses.)
Note: Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) was expelled from the University in fall
2000 for hazing violations. Although the fraternity continues to
operate, it is not recognized by the University or the IFC.
http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/cfsl/noflash/parent-thesystem.html
Resources for Parents of Fraternity and Sorority members
Please note that Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) had its on-campus status
suspended for an indefinite period in 2000 for hazing and alcohol
violations.
TAU KAPPA EPSILON
-----------------
http://www.tke.org/
Tau Kappa Epsilon
http://sdsutke.org/
http://www.tke.org/locator/displaychapter.html
Gamma-Lambda Chapter (San Diego State University)
5064 College Place, San Diego, CA 92115Phone:(619) 265-9157
E-mail: ghigs13@hotmail.com
Website: http://sdsutke.org
http://sdsutke.org/
San Diego State University Gamma-Lambda
Coming soon...
FOR MORE INFORMATION
CONTACT PRESIDENT
MATT GIGGS @ 619.341.3542
http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/dept/teke/
Tau Kappa Epsilon - Gamma Lambda - SDSU
5064 College Pl. San Diego, CA 92115 (619)265-9819
- new webpage coming soon -
=====================================
2000 – EXPULSION OF TAU KAPPA EPSILON
=====================================
http://advancement.sdsu.edu/marcomm/Spring2000News/ReleasesONLY/fratexp.html
12/4/00 -- BETA THETA PI AND TAU KAPPA EPSILON EXPELLED FOR HAZING
The Beta Theta Pi and Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternities have been
expelled following investigations into two separate hazing incidents,
according to SDSU Vice President for Student Affairs Jim Kitchen. As a
result, Beta Theta Pi and TKE will lose all rights and privileges as
student organizations and will no longer be associated with the
University. This includes loss of the right to sponsor events and
social functions, use University facilities and vote on the IFC board.
The earliest Beta Theta Pi would be considered for recognition by the
University and re-colonization is the 2005-06 academic year. TKE will
be eligible to apply for re-colonization in 2003-04.
-----------------------------
http://www.edc.org/hec/news/hecnews/0705.html
http://www.edc.org/hec/news/hecnews/0706.html
http://www.bupipedream.com/001205/news/n5.html
Los Angeles Times 12/5/00
2 Fraternities Expelled for Drinking Incidents
SAN DIEGO--In a strong statement against drinking and hazing, San
Diego State University on Monday expelled two fraternities for recent
incidents in which underage pledges were forced to drink to excess and
became sick. Two pledges were taken to a hospital for alcohol
poisoning.
The university does not have authority to close the fraternity houses,
which are off campus and privately owned. But a national official with
Beta Theta Pi said that San Diego State members will have to find
another place to live because the organization's rules prohibit
recognition of a chapter that has been expelled.
The national organization of Tau Kappa Epsilon has taken a different
stance, calling the expulsion unfair and announcing that there are no
plans to force members out of their fraternity house. Kevin Mayheux,
executive vice president and chief executive officer of Tau Kappa
Epsilon, said the incident occurred at an unauthorized gathering at a
member's apartment and that the fraternity leadership immediately
booted the member from the group.
Tau Kappa Epsilon can apply for reinstatement in 2003, Beta Theta Pi
in 2005.
----------------------------------
http://www.edc.org/hec/news/hecnews/0706.html
Subject: Fraternity Hazing Expulsions
TO: Campus Community
FROM: James R. Kitchen, Vice President, Student Affairs
SUBJECT: Fraternity Hazing Expulsions
As many on campus are already aware, there has been an on-going
investigation of Beta Theta Pi and Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternities for
alleged hazing and alcohol violations. This morning these two
organizations were expelled from the campus community of San Diego
State University as a result of being found guilty of those charges.
These sanctions are effective immediately and will remain in effect
indefinitely. This expulsion addresses only our campus response to the
organizations involved.
------------------------------
http://www.edc.org/hec/
Education Development Center, Inc.
The Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention
===================================================
2002 INCIDENT INVOLVING SAN DIEGO TAU KAPPA EPSILON
===================================================
http://www.inform.umd.edu/News/Diamondback/archives/2002/03/11/news2.html
March 11, 2002 Campus won't go dry, bucks U.S. trend
Several other campuses around the nation also lost students last
month.
Two San Diego State University freshmen, Brian Jimenez and Zachary
Jacobs, died Feb. 10 when their pickup truck crashed after they left a
camp-out with members of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. That same day,
a University of Buffalo student, Jeffrey Critelli, and friend Travis
Hennigar drove their car into a river after attending an Alpha Sigma
Phi fraternity party and visiting a bar. Critelli escaped, but
Hennigar is missing and presumed dead. Police believe alcohol was a
factor in both incidents.
------------------------------
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/child/2002-02-28-campus-binge-drinking.htm
02/27/2002 -- Binge drinking's campus toll
Two San Diego State University freshmen, Brian Jimenez and Zachary
Jacobs, both 18, died early Feb. 10 when their pickup truck crashed
sometime after they left a party at the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity
house. Police are awaiting medical reports, but officials say the
truck was speeding, and winds were high. Just 14 months earlier, the
fraternity was expelled from campus after a hazing incident that
landed one 18-year-old in the hospital and another in a detox center.
----------------------------
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fraternalnews/message/443
February 13, 2002 -- San Diego Union-Tribune
Fraternity is hit hard by I-8 accident killing two
TKE remains active after expulsion from SDSU
The college had expelled the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity from its
sanctioned events in December 2000 after a hazing ritual left a
teen-ager near death from alcohol poisoning.
But the fraternal order known by its acronym TKE remains active in the
campus community. And national leaders of the organization are at odds
with SDSU administrators over whether the local chapter should be
reinstated.
University spokesman Jason Foster said the campus has disciplined the
group repeatedly, even since the expulsion. Parties and under-age
drinking continue to occur on the College Place cul-de-sac where the
TKE house and other fraternity houses are.
Foster said the school warns incoming freshman that TKE is not
recognized by the university.
TKE has about 85 members at San Diego State, and about 9,300 members
at 266 other schools, Mayeux said. There are 200,000 living alums,
including former President Ronald Reagan and broadcaster and
ex-quarterback Terry Bradshaw, he said. According to some students,
members of the fraternity who call themselves "Tekes" take pride in
the expulsion and continue with regular club activities even though
they are not approved by the university.
About 15 fraternity brothers live in the house, which is owned by a
local nonprofit called San Diego Teke Corp. When the chapter hosts
parties or social events, members make sure to follow all fraternity
guidelines, Streeter said.
==================================
OTHER NEWS ABOUT TAU KAPPA EPSILON
==================================
http://www.greek101.com/new/lounge/article19.stm
November 18, 2002 -- Daily Aztec -- San Diego State University
TKE members roll toward a cure - Fraternity raises $5,100 for muscular
dystrophy research
Walk a mile in another man's shoes to understand where he's coming
from.
More than 30 members of Tau Kappa Epsilon took that old adage one step
further Wednesday. They decided to ride in wheelchairs for a day to
understand what it's like to suffer from muscular dystrophy.
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