On Monday, Florida State University suspended Greek life indefinitely after the tragic death of a freshman pledge, Andrew Coffey. The suspension of the school’s 55 fraternities and sororities has rocked the FSU Greek life community.
President John Thrasher announced the suspension of all Greek Life activity and the ability for registered student organizations to consume alcohol during events. In addition to the death of a freshman pledge, another FSU fraternity brother was recently arrested for drug trafficking.
In a statement by the university president, Thrasher mentioned how saddened he is over the events surrounding the death of Coffey, as well as how “disheartened” he is to learn about the unrelated arrest of an FSU fraternity member selling drugs. He went on to say that his top priority is the safety and well-being of FSU students.
As part of the suspension, fraternities and sororities are no longer allowed to hold “new member events, council or chapter meetings, chapter organized tailgates, chapter events such as socials, philanthropy retreats and intramurals, organized participation in … Market Wednesday and organized participation in homecoming.”
Thrasher explained that this pause is needed in order to review and reflect on the loss of Coffey’s life and in order to implement changes to Greek life. In order for this suspension to end, there must be a “new normal” in Greek life at FSU and a new culture for those students.
According to CBS News, Coffey was found unresponsive at a party off campus and attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.
With respect to the student selling drugs, the Tallahassee Democrat reported that Garrett John Marcy, 20, is being charged with the sale and trafficking of cocaine after police searched his room at the Phi Delta Theta fraternity house.
In a Facebook video statement, Tallahassee Police Chief Michael DeLeo said his department is working closely with FSU to investigate the death of Coffey and to ensure crisis counseling is available for students impacted by the tragic event.
Watch the full video of President Thrasher’s address below:
Richard Raps is a Florida based journalist who previously worked in grassroots politics.
