Sigma-Epsilon ChapterSUNY Oneonta · Oneonta, New York
Tau Kappa Epsilon — Better Men for a Better World

Health, Safety & Standards

Hazing is prohibited

No chapter, emerging chapter, student or alumnus shall conduct or condone hazing. TKE defines hazing as:

"Any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off fraternity premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule." The definition includes forced alcohol use, paddling, excessive fatigue, physical and psychological shocks, scavenger hunts and road trips, public stunts, and degrading or humiliating activities.TKE Risk Management Guidelines

Alcohol & drugs

  • All events must follow the law and use BYOB or third-party vendor guidelines.
  • No chapter funds may be used to buy alcohol. No kegs or other bulk sources.
  • No open parties where alcohol is present.
  • No alcohol for anyone under the legal drinking age.
  • Illegal drugs are strictly prohibited.
  • All recruitment events are alcohol-free.

Also covered

  • Sexual misconduct: TKE does not tolerate any form of sexual misconduct.
  • Firearms & explosives: prohibited on chapter property and at chapter or Fraternity functions.
  • Fire, health & safety: chapter properties must meet fire and safety codes.
  • Education: every candidate completes TKE's Risk Management Education course.

Basic Expectations

A Statement of Fraternal Values and Ethics, from the North American Interfraternity Conference

  1. I will know and understand the ideals expressed in my Fraternity ritual and will strive to incorporate them in my daily life.
  2. I will strive for academic achievement and practice academic integrity.
  3. I will respect the dignity of all persons; therefore, I will not physically, mentally, psychologically or sexually abuse or haze any human being.
  4. I will protect the health and safety of all human beings.
  5. I will respect my property and the property of others; therefore, I will neither abuse nor tolerate the abuse of property.
  6. I will meet my financial obligations in a timely manner.
  7. I will neither use nor support the use of illegal drugs; I will neither misuse nor support the misuse of alcohol.
  8. I acknowledge that a clean and attractive environment is essential to both physical and mental health; therefore, I will do all in my power to see that the chapter property is properly cleaned and maintained.
  9. I will challenge my members to abide by these fraternal expectations and confront those who violate them.

New Member Bill of Rights

  • To be treated as an individual
  • To be treated with respect
  • To be treated, and expect to act, as a mature person
  • To be fully informed about the recruitment process
  • To be fully informed about the binding agreements entered into when joining the fraternity
  • To ask questions and receive true and objective answers
  • To make one's own choices and decisions and accept full responsibility for the results of those decisions
  • To be a student first and foremost in order to fulfill academic obligations
  • To have a positive, safe and enriching new member experience
  • To a new member experience that does not require the violation of laws of the individual's country, state, religion or fraternity
  • To express opinions
  • To make informed choices without undue pressure from others

Getting help

For an immediate emergency, contact emergency services. For a non-emergency concern, use the university’s official reporting channels or TKE’s official contact channels. This website’s general contact form is not an emergency or confidential reporting service.