Monday, June 13, 2005
Vandalism and chicanery have plagued the men of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity ever since they acquired their new house at 1111 W. 11th St.
The fraternity, which is now on campus, has had two incidents involving vandalism to its new home or its possessions on the property.
The first, and most destructive, incident came on May 13, Sgt. Dan Ward, Lawrence Police Spokesman, said. Officers were called to the scene at 2:39 a.m. for a disturbance at the house.
Once officers entered, they found the home had been damaged. Ceiling tiles and light fixtures were the main items damaged in the home, Ward said. Estimated damage from the vandalism was about $1,000.
As police searched the home they encountered and arrested a 22-year-old man, and charged him with criminal damage, Ward said.
During that same night police were called back to the home at approximately 3:42 a.m., Ward said.
When police entered the home they found that damage had been done to the carpets and to the walls, Ward said. He said estimated damage to the carpets was about $50.
Another 22-year-old man was arrested during the second call and was charged with criminal trespassing, because he was not found to have actually vandalized anything, Ward said.
Police were still investigating the first case when the house suffered another bout of vandalism.
On June 1, Tau Kappa Epsilon placed a new headstone, with its fraternity letters, outside of its new home.
At approximately 3 a.m. Friday, the head stone was knocked over and spray-painted, Ward said. He said the police currently have no suspects.
Photo by Kerri Henderson
One broken window remains from the vandalism problem at Tau Kappa Epsilon. Renovations to the house began June 1.
The letters spray painted on the headstone were that of the fraternity that used to inhabit the house, Phi Kappa Theta.
Matt Moreno, Wichita junior and former Phi Kappa Theta president, said the former fraternity and its members could not comment on the vandalism.
Last semester, Phi Kappa Theta lost its charter for violation of Interfraternity Council rules.
The fraternity conducted a party on campus and police were called to the home. The police confiscated 16 kegs. The fraternity faced sanctions from the University and the Interfraternity Council, the governing body for sororities and fraternities, and some members faced criminal charges from local authorities.
Although the vandalism was unexpected, it has not hindered the renovations Tau Kappa Epsilon planned for the house, Alex Plassmeyer, Stilwell junior and president of Tau Kappa Epsilon, said.
“We have positive relations with the Phi Kappa Theta Board of Advisors,” Plassymeyer said. “We have moved on and look forward to the fall semester and many more to come at our new location on the hill.”
— Edited by Erin M. Droste
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