Penn State TKE chapter charged in student’s fall

Pennsylvania State University’s chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity was charged on… Pennsylvania State University’s chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity was charged on Tuesday with providing alcohol to an underage student who later fell out of her eigth-story window.

According to the State College police department, Natalie Paglione, 20, of Ambler, Pa., was drinking at a party at the TKE house Sept. 8. When she returned to her apartment, she fell out of her eighth-floor window, according to police. Paglione had a blood-alcohol level of 0.135, according to police, which would have put her significantly above the legal limit of intoxication for driving. How she fell out of the window is unknown.

Paglione survived the fall and is currently recovering at home.

Kevin Mayeux, TKE executive vice president and chief executive officer, said the international headquarters was only informed of the incident and the charges Tuesday, and that they will investigate the situation.

“We’ll do what we can to cooperate with the Penn State authorities,” he said.

He said TKE, which represents 269 chapters in the United States and Canada with more than 10,000 active students, has specific standards that all chapters must meet.

“We have a detailed set of guidelines we expect all of our chapters to follow,” Mayeux said.

According to section four of TKE’s risk management guidelines, “no members, collectively or individually, shall purchase for, serve to, or sell alcoholic beverages to any minor (i.e., those under legal ‘drinking age’).”

Mayeux said disciplinary action from the headquarters could range from rulings affecting individual memberships to sanctions against the chapter, or even revoking the charter. All of which, he said, would be “aimed at trying to get them to rectify any inappropriate behavior.”

Brad Nelson, president of Penn State’s chapter of TKE, who police allege was involved in providing the alcohol, would not return calls for comment.

Eric Washabaugh, president of Pitt’s TKE chapter, said all TKE chapters “have to take security and the risk management guidelines seriously.”

“What all fraternities, especially tekes, anywhere need to realize is that you’re responsible for your actions and the actions of your guests,” he said.