Post by greeky on Oct 26, 2011 19:09:54 GMT -5
Second UNH fraternity has charter revoked:TKE ousted after gun, cash stolen
By SCOTT E. KINNEY
skinney@fosters.com
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
DURHAM — The reported theft of a gun and cash from its house has resulted in a second University of New Hampshire fraternity having its charter revoked.
On Sept. 7, members of Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) reported the theft of a handgun and $2,000 from the safe at its rented 35 Madbury Road property.
An investigation by TKE International, the fraternity's parent organization based in Indiana, resulted in the pulling of the group's charter, which in turn led to the university no longer recognizing the group.
"We decided to visit their chapter and try to figure out the events surrounding the theft and learn from the mistake," said Tom McAninch, Director of Communications with the international fraternity. "They (the fraternity chapter) decided along with us and the university that it was best to regroup and reboot the chapter. They were putting themselves in a position that keeps them open to risk management situations."
According to Anne Lawing, Dean of Students, the incident at the TKE house was the most recent in a number of infractions occurring with the fraternity dating back to 2009. At that time, TKE had been cited as holding a "hell week," which is considered hazing by the university. Lawing also listed noise and alcohol infractions in addition to reports of multiple assaults either involving TKE members or taking place at the TKE house.
In May, complaints were filed stating fraternity members were throwing beer bottles at a neighboring house, said Lawing.
Lawing could not say which of the listed infractions had been reported to the fraternity's parent organization.
"We discovered the incident in September and were set to charge the house with code of conduct violations, but TKE's headquarters did in fact do the right thing. Administrators have been working with their headquarters and regional directors on a future plan of action. In this instance TKE really stepped up to the plate by holding them appropriately accountable," Lawing said.
Mary Anne Lustgraaf, Director of the Municipal Union Building and Student Activities, under which supervision of Greek Life falls, said those remaining members of TKE must now begin the process of becoming a recognized organization anew.
"They're starting from scratch," Lustgraaf said. While some TKE members have opted not to continue, Lustgraaf said the group's status is such that they would be allowed to become alums of the organization following graduation.
Those who have chosen to continue with the organization must begin a bidding process to become a colony on campus.
"It won't be too far in the future until we have a student organization. That will be a colony. When it becomes a full chapter is up to the organization," she said.
While the group may return to UNH, Lustgraaf said its association with the house on Madbury Road has ended.
"The house is owned by a local landlord," she said. "As this colony comes back, it won't be back at 35 Madbury."
Earlier this month, Alpha Tau Omega was suspended by the university for five years following an incident in which an underage female drank alcohol at its fraternity house. The fraternity had been on probation at the time of the incident.
Both Lustgraaf and Lawing said they would anticipate the return of TKE to UNH in the not too distant future.
"I'm optimistic this will lead to the eventual return of TKE to this campus," said Lawing.
Prior to the revocation of charters for both TKE and ATO, the university had not suspended a fraternity since 2008.
In the fall of that year Sigma Beta was put on suspension following a drug raid which resulted in the finding of marijuana, Ecstasy, OxyContin and other unidentified prescription drugs and the arrest of nine fraternity members. Phi Mu Delta was also suspended in October 2008 after a party where two students suffered alcohol poisoning while seven others were arrested.
Durham Deputy Police Chief Rene Kelly said the theft at the TKE house remains under investigation by his department.
www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20111026/GJNEWS_01/710269947/-1/FOSNEWS
By SCOTT E. KINNEY
skinney@fosters.com
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
DURHAM — The reported theft of a gun and cash from its house has resulted in a second University of New Hampshire fraternity having its charter revoked.
On Sept. 7, members of Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) reported the theft of a handgun and $2,000 from the safe at its rented 35 Madbury Road property.
An investigation by TKE International, the fraternity's parent organization based in Indiana, resulted in the pulling of the group's charter, which in turn led to the university no longer recognizing the group.
"We decided to visit their chapter and try to figure out the events surrounding the theft and learn from the mistake," said Tom McAninch, Director of Communications with the international fraternity. "They (the fraternity chapter) decided along with us and the university that it was best to regroup and reboot the chapter. They were putting themselves in a position that keeps them open to risk management situations."
According to Anne Lawing, Dean of Students, the incident at the TKE house was the most recent in a number of infractions occurring with the fraternity dating back to 2009. At that time, TKE had been cited as holding a "hell week," which is considered hazing by the university. Lawing also listed noise and alcohol infractions in addition to reports of multiple assaults either involving TKE members or taking place at the TKE house.
In May, complaints were filed stating fraternity members were throwing beer bottles at a neighboring house, said Lawing.
Lawing could not say which of the listed infractions had been reported to the fraternity's parent organization.
"We discovered the incident in September and were set to charge the house with code of conduct violations, but TKE's headquarters did in fact do the right thing. Administrators have been working with their headquarters and regional directors on a future plan of action. In this instance TKE really stepped up to the plate by holding them appropriately accountable," Lawing said.
Mary Anne Lustgraaf, Director of the Municipal Union Building and Student Activities, under which supervision of Greek Life falls, said those remaining members of TKE must now begin the process of becoming a recognized organization anew.
"They're starting from scratch," Lustgraaf said. While some TKE members have opted not to continue, Lustgraaf said the group's status is such that they would be allowed to become alums of the organization following graduation.
Those who have chosen to continue with the organization must begin a bidding process to become a colony on campus.
"It won't be too far in the future until we have a student organization. That will be a colony. When it becomes a full chapter is up to the organization," she said.
While the group may return to UNH, Lustgraaf said its association with the house on Madbury Road has ended.
"The house is owned by a local landlord," she said. "As this colony comes back, it won't be back at 35 Madbury."
Earlier this month, Alpha Tau Omega was suspended by the university for five years following an incident in which an underage female drank alcohol at its fraternity house. The fraternity had been on probation at the time of the incident.
Both Lustgraaf and Lawing said they would anticipate the return of TKE to UNH in the not too distant future.
"I'm optimistic this will lead to the eventual return of TKE to this campus," said Lawing.
Prior to the revocation of charters for both TKE and ATO, the university had not suspended a fraternity since 2008.
In the fall of that year Sigma Beta was put on suspension following a drug raid which resulted in the finding of marijuana, Ecstasy, OxyContin and other unidentified prescription drugs and the arrest of nine fraternity members. Phi Mu Delta was also suspended in October 2008 after a party where two students suffered alcohol poisoning while seven others were arrested.
Durham Deputy Police Chief Rene Kelly said the theft at the TKE house remains under investigation by his department.
www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20111026/GJNEWS_01/710269947/-1/FOSNEWS
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