Two fraternities to remain suspended once Greek life returns to FSU campus

January 18, 2018

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CNS) -- Two fraternities at Florida State University have been suspended for hazing violations and violating the university's ban on Greek activities.

The violations occurred both before and after the death of pledge Andrew Coffey, which has since resulted in nine fraternity members being charged with felony hazing.

Alpha Epsilon Pi was found responsible in four out of five incidents, including humiliating pledges during a six week period and not supervising a party in which a women was found unresponsive at 4:30 a.m. The fraternity has been suspended for four years.

Four days after the university suspended all Greek activity, FSU police found 50 members of the Chi Phi fraternity violating the ban. They were reportedly found at 3 a.m. in their underwear at the fountain in front of the administration building. Chi Phi has been suspended for two years.

Neither fraternity responded to a request for comment.

At a trustees meeting in Panama City, FSU President John Thrasher was asked if the cases would be referred to prosecutors.

"If somebody makes a complaint to the State Attorney, he would make a decision on whether there would be any criminal charges made, or to make and govern himself accordingly," he said.

Senator Keith Perry, who sits on the higher education appropriations committee, says the culture has to change.

"How do we break that? How do we understand? I'm not sure what the answers are, but I know we need to do more," Perry explained.

Attorney General Pam Bondi agrees.

"They've got to get their act together, and if they are going to be on a campus, they have to abide by the law," she said.