TCU has removed the Beta Theta chapter of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity from campus after a series of incidents including hazing and drug dealing.
Phi Kap’s dismissal came after internal discussions with the university administration and talks with the fraternity’s national office, according to Kathy Cavins-Tull, TCU’s vice chancellor for student affairs.
There were a series of issues that became part of the “culture of the chapter,” she wrote in an email. “The University believed that there were some things happening in the Phi Kappa Sigma chapter that put their members and their chapter at risk.
“In trying to find solutions, we decided that closing the chapter for a period of time was the best solution,” she wrote.
Clayton Reis, who was the fraternity president at the time of the dismissal, outlined some of the events in an email sent to chapter members. A screenshot of part of the email was sent to TCU360.
“We had our former CRA, living in the frat house, in possession of drugs, guns, and alcohol,” Reis wrote, referring to the chapter’s resident assistant. “We had multiple Phi Kaps dealing drugs, including a member in the house dealing some extremely hard drugs.”
“We had a gulf shores spring break video produced by members of PC15 that went public on the internet and was posted on TCU fb wall that showed our members and other students raging like no tomorrow,” Reis wrote. “We were caught drinking in the chapter room during candlelight for the seniors.”
“And we have been caught hazing 2 out of the last three years among other violations with the school and nationals,” he wrote.
Cavins-Tull declined to comment on Reis’s email.
Reis did not respond to repeated voicemails and emails. Phi Kappa Sigma Executive Director Timothy Schug was not immediately available for comment.
In 2008, Phi Kappa lost housing privileges and was reduced to colony status due to “misconduct” that included drinking alcohol in the chapter room. TCU reinstated the fraternity’s housing privileges in 2009 after members completed a program.
Phi Kap’s chapter adviser, Gerald Ewbanks, was the fraternity’s president when it was sanctioned in 2008.
Cavins-Tull wrote that the removal is not meant to be a form of punishment.
“We do not talk in terms of ‘punishment,’ but instead developing some sustainable practices to restore the status of the chapter on this campus,” Cavins-Tull wrote. “We are working with Phi Kappa Sigma to create a plan for reestablishing their Beta Theta chapter.”
In his email to the fraternity, Reis was contrite.
“There was behavior that was accepted by a lot of you and that is why this happened. And ultimately because I did not stop these things from happening its a poor reflection on my ability to condemn that behavior,” Reis wrote.
“That being said I still love you guys and know everybody makes mistakes I just wish it did not have to end.”
