Florida State University banned all Greek life Monday after a student died on Friday following a house party.
Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge Andrew Coffey was found unresponsive around 10:25 a.m. EST Friday morning, and was pronounced dead shortly thereafter, according to the USA Today. The 20-year-old had attended a Thursday night house party roughly a mile from campus and died, most likely after drinking copious amounts of alcohol.
“I want to send a serious message, I really do,” said Florida State University President John Thrasher in his announcement of the Greek life ban. “We’ve got a serious problem,” he added. “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.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the student’s family and friends,” Pi Kappa Phi Chief Executive Officer Mark E. Timmes said according to USA Today. “We appreciate the partnership and support from the Division of Student Affairs during this difficult time.”
“Although there are indicators alcohol may have been a factor in this case, we are waiting for the results of the autopsy so no cause of death been determined,” Tallahassee Police Department Chief Michael DeLeo said according to the Tallahassee Democrat. “TPD will continue to work with the state attorney office so as new information becomes available to determine what charges, if any, are appropriate,” he added.
Twenty two percent of FSU undergraduates belong to a Greek organization, a major element of the school’s social activity.
Coffey’s death on Friday fell on the first day of Parent’s Weekend at the school.
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