Tau Kappa Epsilon discipline statement
Arizona State University has notified Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) that its recognition as a fraternity chapter at ASU has been permanently revoked. This action has been taken after TKE was placed on probation in 2012. TKE was suspended Jan. 20, 2014 for hosting an unregistered, off-campus event Jan. 19, 2014 that encouraged a racially-insensitive theme and created an environment conducive to underage consumption of alcohol.
ASU is continuing to investigate the actions of individual fraternity members and other students who may have attended the party under the ASU Student Code of Conduct. Upon conclusion of that investigation, ASU will take additional action as may be appropriate under ASU and Arizona Board of Regents policies.
When students gather as part of a university recognized organization, whether it is a varsity sports team, the student newspaper, an academic club or a fraternity, students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the core values of ASU, which include respect for all people, races and cultures. The TKE party held last weekend was not held on campus and was not a sanctioned university event.
ASU has one of the most diverse student bodies of any major university in the country, and it is unfortunate that a few individuals held an offensive party at a time when ASU, the state and the nation were celebrating Dr. King’s achievements and legacy.
ASU has a long history of honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. For 27 years, the university has hosted an MLK Breakfast. This year, the theme was Unite Beyond the Divide. The annual event, held Jan. 23, 2014, drew more than 300 university and community leaders. This year, the event recognized Victory Together and a student leader. In addition, the university has held the annual March on West for the past 23 years. The event features a re-enactment of King's "I Have a Dream" speech, where hundreds of local middle-school students attend and learn about the Civil Rights movement.
ASU University Libraries last week made available through the ASU Library Repository an unknown recording of Martin Luther King, Jr. speaking at ASU in 1964, less than a month before the landmark Civil Rights Act was signed. The speech was played for the public for the first time at ASU's MLK breakfast celebration on ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus, as part of the university’s MLK celebration. University Libraries worked with a representative of The King Center in Atlanta to make the speech available to the public.
TKE Violations:
• 5-308 F-3 Violating the terms of any disciplinary sanction imposed for an earlier violation of the Student Code of Conduct or other Board of university rules
• 5-308 F-15 Violation of the Board or university rules or applicable laws governing alcohol, including consumption, distribution, unauthorized sale, or possession of alcoholic beverages
• 5-308 F-17 Off-campus conduct that a reasonable person would believe may present a risk or danger to the health, safety or security of the Board or university community or to the safety or security of the Board or university property
• 5-308 F-21 Engaging in discriminatory activities, including harassment and retaliation, as prohibited by applicable law or university policy