Greek events end early

The Mike and Joe concert sponsored by Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity was halted early Thursday morning when two guests were found with alcohol. The concert, which was scheduled from midnight to 3 a.m., was halted at about 1:10 a.m.\nAccording to a memo to Assistant Dean of Students James Gibson, the event, which was registered with the Student Activities Office, was intended to be a dry function. Twenty members of TKE ran security, along with Troy Thompson, an off-duty police officer. \nTKE president Bill Surprise said partygoers were searched at the door for alcohol, and any found was immediately thrown away. He said all containers were thrown out.\n"We searched people coming in, but unfortunately it is illegal to pat down males entering a party," he said. "A nonmember was able to smuggle in a beer, which he then poured into a cup provided for the non-alcoholic punch we were serving."\nSurprise said Scott Thierry, a police officer on duty, entered the TKE property through a side door and saw nonmembers consuming alcohol. When Surprise was alerted to Thierry's presence he sought him out, Surprise said. Thierry told Surprise and TKE vice president Phillip Verspelt to end their party immediately.\nAfter conferring with Dean Gibson on the phone, Surprise announced the concert was to be shut down. Surprise estimates TKE lost $3,000 by ending the event early. \nSurprise added he never personally saw the alcohol that was allegedly present.\n"Right now the decision is in Dean Gibson's hands," he said. "However, I would like to see the chapter not held responsible. The University's attitude towards the greek system needs to be looked at; they should be willing to aid us. We are being punished when we have no control over the individuals in question."\nDean Gibson could not be reached for comment yesterday.\nInterfraternity Council president Colin Godecke said it is too early to determine what disciplinary actions will be taken.\n"If TKE's version of the story is accurate then their punishment will not be too severe," he said. "However, I cannot speak for the Greek Judicial Board."\nAt Alpha Tao Omega, 1,440 hotdogs and buns sit unused from a Hotties and Hotdogs philanthropy event slated to benefit Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The alcohol-free event was scheduled for Thursday from 1 to 4 a.m. Representatives of the Student Activities Office refused to register the event because of its late-night timing. The time slot runs counter to the academic mission of the university, ATO president Greg Laux was told. He agreed. \n"We were disappointed," he said, "but we went along with it." \nEditor in Chief Christina Jewett contributed to this report.