FSU President Suspends All Fraternities And Sororities

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Days after the death of a pledge in an off-campus house party, the president of Florida State University announced on Monday he is imposing an "indefinite interim suspension" of all fraternities and sororities at the school. The decision by FSU President John Thrasher took effect immediately.

“For this suspension to end, there will need to be a new normal for Greek Life at the university,” said Thrasher. “There must be a new culture, and our students must be full participants in creating it.”

The action follows the death three days ago of Andrew Coffey, a pledge at Pi Kappa Phi, who was found unresponsive after attending a party, and the arrest today in an unrelated case of 20-year-old Garrett John Marcy, who was charged with the sale and trafficking of cocaine. Marcy is a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

"FSU has received national recognition for its innovative programs designed to curb high-risk behaviors," university officials said. "These model programs are emulated by other universities and aggressively encourage students to report incidents they think might be hazing. The university has dozens of programs that work with Greek organizations to educate them on the values they are expected to reflect, providing tools and resources to assist student leaders and advisors in effectively managing their organizations."

Thrasher also instituted a ban on alcohol at all Recognized Student Organization events during the indefinite interim suspension. FSU has more than 700 such organizations outside of the Greek community, according to school officials.

University spokesperson Browning Brooks told Patch that FSU has 54 separate Greek organizations. "They don’t all have a physical house," Brooks explained. "We have 38 physical houses."

Thrasher said that the timetable for lifting the suspension is up to the student community.“They must work with us and demonstrate they fully understand the serious obligation they have to exercise responsible conduct,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tallahassee Police Chief Michael J. DeLeo said on Monday that alcohol may have been a factor in Coffey's death but that police are waiting for the results of an autopsy.

"Investigators have interviewed more than 50 people and many additional interviews are planned," he said. "Although there are indicators that alcohol may have been a factor in this case, we are waiting for the results of an autopsy so no cause of death has been determined."

He said that police are working with the State Attorney's Office to determine what charges, if any, are appropriate. "It is important that we have all the information available to find answers for Andrew's family, friends and our community," the chief said.

During the interim suspension, fraternity and sorority chapters will be prohibited from holding new member events, council or chapter meetings, chapter organized tailgates, chapter events such as socials, philanthropy, retreats, intramurals, organized participation in Market Wednesday and organized participation in Homecoming.

Members will be permitted to remain as residents in their fraternity or sorority house and will have meal service. They can attend leadership classes, judicial and conduct hearings as well as risk management education workshops offered by the university.

School officials said that failure to comply with the terms of the interim suspension could result in immediate disciplinary action.

“Like most universities, we worry about alcohol and drug abuse and other dangerous behaviors, and we are doing all we can to educate our students,” Thrasher said. “But all of our student organizations — Greek organizations and the other recognized student organizations on campus — must step up. They will have to participate in the solution.”

Coffey of Pompano Beach was found unresponsive Friday about 10:25 a.m. at his home on Buena Vista Drive about a mile from campus, Tallahassee police said. He died at the scene, The Tallahassee Democrat reported.

Neighbors said there was a party at the house Thursday night. Police officers were collecting alcoholic beverage bottles that were scattered on the home's porch as evidence, The Tallahassee Democrat reported.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the student's family and friends," said Pi Kappa Phi CEO Mark E. Timmes in a statement. "We appreciate the partnership and support from the Division of Student Affairs during this difficult time."

Watch Tallahassee Police Chief Michael J. DeLeo as he gives update on the death investigation as of Monday:

Watch Now: FSU President Suspends Greek Life

Patch editor Don Johnson in Tampa contributed to this report.

Photo credit: AP Photo/Phil Sears