SPRING 2018
BETA ETA
DATA
PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY
FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY BETA ETA ALUMNI CHAPTER
Beta Eta Chapter Closure
Showcase of the Arts, will not be held this year. Pi Kappa Phi was one of five fraternities that hosted On November 10th, 2017, the National office this annual event which raised $72,000 for several of Pi Kappa Phi announced the revocation of FSU organizations in 2017. Pi Kapp brothers have the Beta Eta Chapter charter following the routinely served as directors or executive committee tragic death of Beta Eta Associate Member, members of the event. Andrew Coffee, at an off-campus event on Greek organizations were allowed to recruit new November 2, 2017. members this spring, but rush activities for all Andrew was a 20-year Florida State Greek organizations have seen a old sophomore, civil material decline in participation. President Thrasher engineering major from has been quoted as demanding a "new normal" Lighthouse Point, before social activities can resume for FSU Greek Florida. Our hearts go life. Hazing allegations at other universities, out to the Coffee family including Texas State, University of Michigan, as they deal with the Montana State University and Ohio State, have unimaginable loss of prompted similar bans and restrictions. their son. This heartbreaking event has forever changed their lives. Andrew's death has also forever changed the history of the Beta Eta Chapter.
PRESIDENT'S LETTER
Our current situation regarding the chapter closure Sco Middlebrooks and the events revolving around this are quite unfortunate. I am certain your heart skipped a beat before it hit the floor as the gravity of the situation was quickly internalized. As a parent, my heart goes out to the Coffee family first and foremost, but also to all those who have been affected by this event. Other schools followed Florida State's response with a pause on social activities (even without incident) as a time of Overall, Greek Life at Florida State University reflection on a series of other non-related fraternal deaths happened in the recent past. has clearly been impacted by the tragedy. After an initial ban on all fraternity and We live in a constantly changing era as sorority functions, Greek organizations are technological, political, legal, and social now operating under much greater scrutiny environments evolve. In a time where school and and oversight. The University has recently church shootings happen, social media is at your eased some of the sanctions on Greek fingertips (recording everything), and you have activities, but a ban on alcohol and all social access to anything with a push of a functions remains in place indefinitely. Greek organizations are now able to conduct button‌.governance review is important. I know philanthropic activities, although FSU's through discussions with the National Office that this largest Greek-run philanthropy, Linedance: is a heightened topic with other national fraternal
The investigation of the event has been underway and nine Beta Eta brothers have been charged with felony hazing. The nine brothers include members of the Student Chapter's Executive Council in addition to Andrew's big brother. A civil lawsuit has also been filed naming the National Office, the nine Beta Eta brothers mentioned, the Beta Eta House Corporation, the Chapter Advisor and others as defendants.
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