The NIU colony of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity was disaffiliated by the national chapter’s grand council Aug. 1.

Mark Fite, general manager for Tau Kappa Epsilon’s national chapter, said the Tekes were unable to meet a set of 16 requirements required of all colonies. A mimimum membership size, a good community service record and maintenance of a specified grade point average are among these requirements.

The Tekes also had inherited financial problems they could not rectify. “The colony just couldn’t get it together,” Fite said.

Jeff Cufaude, NIU activities adviser for University Programming and Activities, said the Tekes had to remove their letters from the house and can no longer use the letters as a group. However, the men are still members and may remain living in the Teke house.

Royal Kirchner, NIU post pledge trainer for Tekes, said the members will remain in their house and hope to actively hold Rush this fall. He said the members will check with NIU officials and the national chapter to make sure everything they do will be legal.

Kirchner said it will be harder for the Tekes to hold Rush without the backing of NIU or the national chapter, but they want to be chartered again. “You join a fraternity for life,” he said.

Tekes had been operating for almost four years as a colony, which is a temporary status before becoming chartered as a chapter. Fite said colony status usually is granted for a 24-month period, but the NIU colony had been granted extensions.

A former Teke chapter at NIU was declared non-operating in 1982.

Fite said the national chapter would welcome a petition for colony status at NIU again by this group or any other. “We have strong alumni from the dormant chapter,” he said.