Administration responds to Phi Tau incident

Video surveillance footage of the College Ave. block the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity house is located on recently provided further details on last Sunday morning’s events

that resulted in seven students receiving citations.

The video shows a large crowd in front of the house, according to Kent Trachte, dean of the College, acting as spokesperson for the administration and Public Safety. 

“It is clear to me that some of our students acted very inappropriately and I disagree with the notion that there was an overreaction by either Public Safety or the Lancaster city police,” Trachte said. “It is standard operating procedure for police forces, when they respond to a situation and there’s a relatively large crowd present and members of the crowd are not complying with police requests, for them to request backup.”

According to Trachte, Public Safety was asked to monitor the party, which was Phi Tau’s first College-approved party since its house was condemned last January. Trachte confirmed a Public Safety officer approached brothers at the door due to concerns party protocol—namely, the use of a guest list—was not being followed.

At approximately the same time, Lancaster Bureau of Police (LBP) officers arrived at the house in response to a noise complaint. 

Either Public Safety officers of LBP officers then shut the party down; both have the authority to do so, according to Trachte. Trachte said many students can be seen leaving the area of the Phi Tau house on the video footage, although some can be seen remaining in the area.

“It is clear from the video there were lots of students at the Phi Tau party because you see them continue to come out and come out and come out,” Trachte said. “Some undetermined number of students congregated in front of the building rather than leaving the area.”

Additional LBP officers arrived on the scene, resulting in 10 to 12 police and public safety cars parked in front of the house.

Some students became argumentative with LBP officers, according to reports from eyewitnesses and Doug Silverstein ’11, president of Phi Tau (see TITLE in the April 12 issue of The College Reporter), and the incident report. Five to seven students were led away from the scene in handcuffs. 

Trachte believes the arguing escalated the incident. 

“I think it’s clear that had everyone cooperated and no one been argumentative or refused to leave the scene, the additional police that responded to the situation never would have been there,” he said. “We expect our students to comply with requests from Public Safety officers and Lancaster city police.”

The video footage was obtained from an F&M camera, which is monitored and operated by Public Safety. It is being kept private.

Interfraternity Council is continuing its investigation, which should be completed by the end of this week, according to Sam Ruchlewicz ’11, vice president. 

Meanwhile, the administration is conducting its own investigation, although it has been determined there will be no parties at Phi Tau for the remainder of the semester, according to Trachte.

Doug Silverstein ’11, president of Phi Tau, did not return messages asking for comment.