Local Frat Faces Backlash Over UW-Milwaukee Drugging Incident
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A local fraternity is catching some heat over a frat party at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where investigators say female students were allegedly given date rape drugs.
Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) is being investigated by school officials, its national organization and campus police.
The party happened on Sept. 12, and according to the Huffington Post, girls considered "hot" were allowed to purchase index cards giving them all access to the house.
They were then marked with red "X"s on their hands and given drinks mixed under the bar. Some say the drinks appeared cloudy.
According to the CBS Milwaukee affiliate, one woman who didn't want to be identified told the station she believes her friend got drugged.
"One of my friends brought her back, he was just being a good guy and he brought her back because all these dudes were hitting on her and making out with her, and she was seemingly really wasted," said the woman.
Three girls and a guy ended up in the hospital after sharing drinks. School officials announced last week that the fraternity has been suspended. Also, the national TKE organization has temporarily suspended UW-Milwaukee's chapter.
But the backlash of the incident has made its way to the University of Minnesota campus. TKE's local chapter is feeling the fallout.
Andrew Cumming, president of the U's TKE chapter, says people are criticizing them as they walk by the house for something they have nothing to do with.
Cumming read the following statement:
"Tau Kappa Epsilon is one of the largest fraternities in the United States. There are both pros and cons being associated with such an expansive network of people. Here at the University of Minnesota we are in no way connected with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee chapter or their members, except that our organizations bear the same letters. Yet we've been negatively affected by the despicable and unacceptable behavior which completely contradicts the values that our organization stands for.
At our chapter our members strive daily to better themselves, our fraternity brothers and our community by simplifying the values of love, charity and esteem. I can personally testify that the fraternity experience has helped me become a better human being, from providing me with challenging leadership experiences and encouraging me to engage in philanthropic and academic endeavors. There's no doubt in my mind that the Theta chapter at the University of Minnesota is living up to our slogan of creating 'Better Men for a Better World.'
We cannot express just how disappointed and disgusted we are with the alleged actions of the members of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee chapter. We also believe it's unfortunate and unfair that we have to deal with the negative reputation that they have single-handedly created for us.
Our chapter was only re-colonized on this campus about five years ago and in that time alone we have helped hundreds of members to develop themselves and have raised thousands of dollars for philanthropic causes. In addition to that, our chapter and many other fraternities on campus have and are continuing to take steps to address and try to eliminate the sexual assault issue that is so unfortunately prevalent on college campuses.
It breaks my heart to know at this time if I wear my letters many people will look at them and not see the genuine goodness that bring to our community, but instead will be reminded of the wrongdoings of a miniscule faction of the national members. But I have no doubt in my mind that over time that we will mend both our local and national reputations by staying true to and living our values."
TKE shut down its chapter in 2003 at the University of Minnesota due to financial hardships.
The fraternity returned to campus in 2010 hoping to make a positive impact on the U's campus and community.