Who Is Andrew Coffey? Greek Life Suspended After FSU Fraternity Pledge Dies

Florida State University suspended all 54 of its fraternities and sororities indefinitely following the death of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity pledge Andrew Coffey. Coffey, 20, was found unresponsive Friday after a party held a mile off campus in Tallahassee, Florida. He was given medical attention but all attempts made to revive him were unsuccessful and he died at the scene.

Coffey was a civil engineering student at FSU. The Pompano Beach, Florida, resident graduated from Pompano Beach High School in 2015. His death occurred at the beginning of FSU's Parents Weekend, a time when the university hosts students and families on campus.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the student's family and friends," Mark E. Timmes, Pi Kappa Phi CEO, said in a statement issued to International Business Times on Tuesday. "We appreciate the partnership and support from the Division of Student Affairs during this difficult time."

Local law enforcement began interviewing all known witnesses in connection to Coffey's death and examining evidence collected from the scene Friday, including a variety of alcoholic beverage bottles. The exact circumstances surrounding Coffey's death remained unclear, though it appeared alcohol may have been a factor, officials said.

"Although there are indicators that alcohol may have been a factor in this case, we are waiting for the results of an autopsy so no cause of death has been determined," Tallahassee Police Chief Michael DeLeo said Monday, according to the Sun-Sentinel.

The decision to suspend Greek life at FSU came on the heels of an unrelated case regarding Phi Delta Theta member Garrett John Marcy. Marcy, 20, was arrested for the sale and trafficking of cocaine. The interim suspension was expected to take effect immediately, as FSU's president claimed the pause was needed to reflect on Coffey's death. The suspension was also aimed at redefining the university's Greek community.

"For this suspension to end, there will need to be a new normal for Greek Life at the university," John Thrasher, FSU's president, said in a statement Monday. "There must be a new culture, and our students must be full participants in creating it."

Fraternities and sororities during the interim period would be prohibited from recruiting new members, holding council chapter meetings, chapter organized tailgates and chapter events like philanthropy. Alcohol was also banned on campus from all of FSU's more than 700 recognized student organization events.

"Like most universities, we worry about alcohol and drug abuse and other dangerous behaviors, and we are doing all we can to educate our students," Thrasher said. "But all of our student organizations — Greek organizations and the other recognized student organizations on campus — must step up. They will have to participate in the solution."

Members of FSU's Greek community will still be able to reside in fraternity and sorority housing. They will also have the opportunity to attend judicial hearings, leadership classes and risk management education courses. Individuals who fail to adhere to the new policy could receive immediate disciplinary action.

Thrasher said the timetable for the suspension period will be up to the student community as they must "demonstrate they fully understand the serious obligation they have to exercise responsible conduct."