Council Delays Its Hearing on Fraternity’s Fate

The party soon may be over for members of the troubled Cal State Fullerton fraternity that recently lost its permit to operate a house on Teri Place.

The City Council on Tuesday night postponed a hearing on whether to revoke the fraternity’s permit for good, resetting it for Feb. 3. City officials said the delay was granted to give the fraternity time to try to work out its problems with the city.

The city Planning Commission revoked Tau Kappa Epsilon’s permit in November, after neighbors complained to police at least 25 times about rowdy parties.

Planning commissioners also cited the fraternity’s failure to comply with city rules governing notice of social events and limitations on the number of guests.

The fraternity, known as Teke, appealed the commission decision to the City Council.

Since 1995, Teke has been blamed for most of the noise and trash problems on Teri Place--home to about half a dozen fraternities.

“We need to get the frats to be good neighbors,” Police Chief Patrick E. McKinley said Tuesday. “If they can’t be good neighbors, then they shouldn’t be there.”

While the appeal is on hold, the Teke chapter will continue talks with its national affiliate, police and university and city officials.