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The Phi Kappa Tau fraternity at East Carolina University has been shut down following an investigation into the use of alcohol and drugs.
The Phi Kappa Tau national organization announced the closure of the ECU chapter on Monday, May 7. The fraternity was closed with no plans to reopen. The chapter was suspended in April after police seized more than 2,500 Xanax bars and two shotguns from the fraternity house, resulting in five fraternity members were charged with drug offenses.
This is the fourth fraternity closed or suspended at East Carolina University this year: Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Tau Kappa Epsilon, and Delta Chi were all previously suspended or shut down.
Tim Hudson, the chief executive officer for Phi Kappa Tau’s national organization, released a statement on the closure:
“It is very disappointing to see a chapter that has strayed from our mission of providing brotherhood, learning, ethical leadership and exemplary character. The National Council has sent a clear message that the actions uncovered in the investigation are not permitted within our fraternity. We look forward to continuing our partnership with East Carolina University who is supportive of this action.”
This is the latest major fraternity or sorority suspension or closure in the last year, as schools such as Indiana University, the University of Michigan, Ohio State University, Texas State, Florida State, Ball State, Louisiana State and Penn State have all suspended fraternities in the wake of hazing and alcohol deaths.
These reports come amidst similar allegations that have been made against fraternities nationwide, including Sigma Alpha Epsilon at East Carolina University, who were shut down for hazing and the Lamda Chi Alpha chapter at the University of Arkansas which has been accused of taking sexually explicit photographs of women without their permission.
In response to incidents like these, fraternities such Phi Kappa Psi have made numerous changes to their code of conduct in an effort to address the issues that have arisen. In addition, schools such as Texas State have introduced new Greek Life rules to try and prevent these problems.
