Pubdate: Tue, 19 Jul 2005
Source: Exponent, The (IN Edu)
Copyright: 2005 Purdue Exponent
Contact:  http://www.purdueexponent.org/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/883
Author: Alysha Daytner
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

PURDUE WITHDRAWS FRATERNITY RECOGNITION AFTER DRUG CHARGES

Purdue on Tuesday withdrew recognition of Tau Kappa Epsilon 
fraternity following the May arrests of three former executive 
officers on drug-related charges, according to University reports.

Tau Kappa Epsilon and its Alpha-Zeta Chapter at Purdue will appeal 
the University's decision to withdraw recognition of the 
organization. The fraternity has been active continuously since Dec. 20, 1928.

Three fraternity members were arrested on May 5 by the Tippecanoe 
County Drug Task Force, a force that includes Purdue police officers.

University reports say the men arrested and their initial charges are 
Michael David Kapetanovic, of Rockville, Md., having completed his 
sixth semester at the University, felony charges of dealing cocaine 
and two counts of conspiracy to deal psilocybin mushrooms; Kyle 
Phillip Conforti, of Woodbridge, Ill., having graduated in May, 
felony charges of dealing cocaine and possession of cocaine; and 
Brandon George Freiberger, of Georgetown, Ind., and having completed 
his second semester at the University, two felony counts of dealing 
psilocybin mushrooms and an additional count of possession of 
psilocybin, an organic hallucinogenic drug found in Psilocybe 
mexicana mushrooms.

The men are no longer enrolled at the University.

In University reports, L. Tony Hawkins, dean of students, said, "The 
situation involving this fraternity house was unusually egregious.

"Illegal drugs were confiscated at the TKE house. We believe that 
members had reason to know or suspect that there was a problem and 
did not take corrective action or alert University authorities."

University spokeswoman Jeanne Norberg said this case is different 
because of the members' previous executive positions at TKE, located 
at 300 Russell St.

"These weren't three individuals; these are three elected officers. 
The second distinction is that there were other members there that 
knew and did not take appropriate action.

"This does not mean every member of the fraternity is at fault, but 
they elected these people and that changes the situation."

She said this is the first instance in a 34-year collective memory 
that action has been taken against a fraternity for anything 
involving the sale of drugs. She said because the case is still under 
investigation, it is uncertain if and when the organization will be 
again recognized by the University.

"After their period of withdrawal, they may apply for recognition. At 
that time an understanding is developed for what it takes for them to 
solve the problem. It depends on whether we believe that that is 
necessary. There are individual circumstances in every case," Norberg said.

Kevin Mayeux, CEO of TKE International Fraternity, said in a press 
release that he "believes the incidents were isolated and only 
related to a handful of individuals, and that the actions of those 
few individuals � who were expelled from and are no longer 
active members of the chapter � are not reflective of the 
values, standards and conduct of the more than 60 remaining men in 
the Alpha-Zeta Chapter."

He said TKE plans to continue to keep the chapter and facility 
operational, and presented plans to ensure that the chapter house and 
functions are free of narcotics, individual members pledge to remain 
drug-free in their private lives and a plan for a positive outreach 
program to educate Purdue and its Greek system about substance abuse. 
During the 2005-06 school year the fraternity will have a full-time, 
live-in adviser to hold the chapter accountable for membership standards.

Alex Fenske, president of Interfraternity Council and a senior in the 
School of Management, encourages every member of Purdue's Greek 
community to hold each other accountable.

"With peer accountability, if there is something that an individual 
feels is going on and isn't right, they should report it to their 
chapter's executive board, their corporate board, the group of alumni 
that governs their house or their national fraternity if they feel it 
is necessary." He also added that both Interfraternity Council and 
Panhellenic Association are open to hearing concerns.

"One of the primary goals of the leaders of the Greek community is 
that we try to uphold the highest standards and try to develop our 
members to be high caliber students and people," Fenske said.

Interfraternity Council is one of the governing bodies that enforces 
and regulates standards for the Greek community.

Norberg said of TKE fraternity, "People need to understand that we 
are very serious about (drug policies). We have a lot of good 
fraternities here and we don't like to see this happen. We try very 
hard and work with them very hard to help them succeed and helping 
them learn their rights and responsibilities."
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MAP posted-by: Beth