Editor’s note: The headline on this story was revised for accuracy at 12:37 p.m. Saturday.
TCU’s Phi Kappa Sigma chapter has lost its charter and been kicked out of its house, a university official said.
Josh Schutts, coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life and IFC adviser, said the decision was made by the national organization in conjunction with TCU this summer.
Don Mills, vice chancellor for student affairs, said the decision had been considered for more than a year. He also said the fraternity was penalized for “misconduct,” but declined to elaborate.
Hamilton Smith, executive director of the Phi Kappa Sigma International Fraternity, declined to comment about the situation.
Schutts said past events influenced this decision but declined to specify what these events were.
“There are some issues from the past involving mostly risk management,” he said.
Gerald Ewbanks, a senior supply and value chain management major and the president of Phi Kappa Sigma, said there were certain events in the past year and the fraternity tried to “straighten things out.” He declined to discuss details.
Craig Allen, director of Residential Services, confirmed that the Phi Kappa Sigma’s dormitory in Martin Moore Hall, did not stay empty.
“The fraternity is not there [anymore] so there are other students living there,” Allen said.
Ewbanks sent a letter to the TCU Greek community Thursday morning assuring it that the fraternity would still participate in Greek activities regardless of the changes.
“Phi Kappa Sigma will continue its participation and representation on IFC, compete in intramurals, conduct recruitment and engage in philanthropies and community service,” Ewbanks wrote, “The only difference between this year and those of the past is our absence in the house on campus and social probation for the fall semester.”
Besides losing their facilities, the fraternity also lost the privilege to host social events where alcohol will be served because they are on alcohol probation. However, the probation had nothing to do with the decision that removed the fraternity from the house, Schutts said.
James Parker, the director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, said the Phi Kappa Sigmas remain recognized regardless of the changes.
“It’s still a recognized chapter,” he said. “But it’s a colony now as opposed to active.”
A colony is a fraternity that is not active in its national organization.
The Phi Kappa Sigmas expect to be chartered again by the next year, Ewbanks said.
In the meantime, they will have to act upon the goals and objectives set by their national organization in order to regain their charter, Schutts said.