TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Greek organizations at Florida State University remain unable to participate as a group in this weekend's homecoming events. There is also one less fraternity on the FSU campus.
While Pi Kappa Phi has had its troubles, it has also produced two former Supreme Court justices in Florida, as well as the former CEO of Public, M. Clayton Hollis. University of Florida alumnus Ben Hill Griffin, for whom the football stadium at UF is named, was also a member of Pi Kappa Phi.
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Andrew Coffey, 20, was at least the 136th person who has died in the United States as a result of hazing. The deaths date back to 1838. Coffey died a mile from campus after a night of drinking.
The Greek letters at the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity have been removed. The fraternity’s charter was revoked Friday by its national organization. It cited violations of social event policies the day Coffey died.
The death led FSU President John Thrasher to cancel all Greek activities indefinitely.
“I talked to the mom Friday night, the day the young man passed away, and I had a very -- a conversation that was private and serious. I’ll just leave it at that,” Thrasher said.
Trouble is not new to the fraternity. Last year, the chapter at the University of South Florida was suspended after a 16-year-old girl was raped.
Nine Pi Kappa Phi chapters remain active in Florida.
The remaining 54 active fraternities and sororities at FSU remain banned from taking part in any homecoming activities this weekend.
When asked how long the suspension of Greek activities will last, Thrasher said it is up to the Greek organizations to come up with what he’s calling the new normal.
“I hope really not long," Thrasher said. "A lot of things can happen in a very short time, if we get the cooperation of everybody, and I think we will.”
Coffey’s death remains under investigation.