Fraternity Headquarters Removes Membership of Knox College Chapter
of Tau Kappa Epsilon; House Closed Pending Reorganization
The international headquarters of the Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity
announced this week that the fraternity has removed the membership of the
fraternity's Delta Chapter at Knox College, effective immediately. The
announcement was made by TKE International representatives Darrin Pastuha,
assistant director of chapter services, and Michael Mokros, chapter management
consultant, during a visit to the chapter house at Knox on Sunday, March 21.
As a result of the action by TKE International, Knox College closed the
chapter house at 160 W. South St., and offered accommodations in regular
residence halls to the twelve fraternity members who were living in the house.
The chapter also had two members who did not live in the house.
TKE International will be allowed to send representatives to Knox in 2000, to
begin the process of seeking an entirely new membership for Delta Chapter.
"With TKE International's removal of all active members from the chapter, the
fraternity's charter becomes dormant," said Xavier Romano, Dean of
Students at Knox College. "In the coming months, the administration here at
Knox will cooperate closely with representatives of TKE International and with
Delta Chapter Alumni to develop a plan for admitting new members--what's
referred to as recolonizing the chapter--tentatively scheduled for the spring
of 2000."
The TKE International took the action following its investigation into an
alcohol-related incident that allegedly occurred as a result of a party at the
TKE house last November. TKE International also told college officials that
Delta chapter's membership of 14 was below the required level of 35.
"When the fraternity system is working well, it can enhance the educational
and social environment at a college," Romano said. "By the same token, if it's
not working well, it can be a detriment to a college. TKE International is
sensitive to this and has imposed sanctions at other chapters, as well. Our
goal--both Knox and the TKE International--is that Delta Chapter of TKE will be
a positive experience for its members and an asset to the college community."
Delta Chapter of TKE was chartered at Knox in 1912--making it the
fourth-oldest chapter of the nation's largest college fraternity.
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