Fraternity Ordered to Cease All Operations

May 06, 2011

SUNY Plattsburgh has officially withdrawn recognition of the Theta Kappa Beta Fraternity for violation of campus regulations.

Through campus judicial procedures, the fraternity was found responsible for hosting an activity at which individuals under the age of 21 were in possession of alcohol. This is one of a number of infractions over the past decade, including a willful falsification of information in discussions with police over a 2007 incident, a failure to meet conditions of probation in the fall of 2010 and a refusal to pay an insurance bill in 2010.

This sanction means that the organization must cease all operations as a college fraternity and that all campus privileges have been revoked. Should the fraternity continue to operate, members will be subject to college disciplinary action. As a result, the Center for Sorority and Fraternity Life and the University Police are asking students and the public to report any evidence of the fraternity continuing to function.

"I am saddened that the continued conduct of this group has led to this revocation of recognition,” said Dean of Students Stephen Matthews.

"The misconduct of this group is not a reflection of the conduct of our fraternities and sororities as a whole and all of the good that these organizations do for our college and the community at large," Matthews continued.

Meanwhile, in response to concerns from alumni, college officials have agreed to consider the reestablishment of the fraternity – but only after all current members have graduated or four academic years have passed. This new group would be subject to approval by the college and would have to participate in the SUNY Plattsburgh expansion process, which also requires approval by the Committee on Fraternal Affairs and the Interfraternity Council. Further infractions by current members would have a negative impact on any plans for reinstatement.

Interfraternity Council President Nick Lavigne said that his organization supports the decision made by the school’s administration.

"We, as a fraternal community, live by the values of leadership, scholarship, friendship and service, as well as each of the organizations' individual values," Lavigne said. "We, as a whole, really strive to hold ourselves to a higher standard and live up to these values.”

Lavigne added that much work has been done recently to help fraternity members understand that it is one thing to talk about their values and another to live up to them.

"Over the past semester, we have seen such growth and the accomplishment of so much positive change," Lavigne said. “And we will continue to work for and achieve future goals as a community."