Mitchell Wilson, executive director of Kappa Sigma fraternity, announced yesterday that Vanderbilt's Kappa Sigma chapter had its charter revoked due to a "violation of the fraternity's code of conduct," dispelling student suspicions that Kappa Sigma's charter had been revoked due to low membership.

Director of Greek Life Kristen Torrey also confirmed that the fraternity is losing its charter, citing a violation not only of the fraternity's code of conduct but also of the university's Alcohol and Risk Management Policy.

While Torrey is currently unsure as to exactly how long Kappa Sigma will remain off-campus, she speculated that it will be between 2 to 4 years.

Senior Andrew Brown, president of Kappa Sigma, said the charter's revocation was the product of a long chain of events.

According to Brown, things had been going well since the fraternity got off of social probation in March of this year. Following its stint on probation, Kappa Sigma became part of the national fraternity's Trustee Program, an initiative that helps chapters to become more proficient in a variety of areas.

Brown said problems with Vanderbilt began again when Torrey became upset about an American Beer Pong Association RV, belonging to a Kappa Sigma alumnus, parked outside of the Kappa Sigma house.

When Torrey came to the house to discuss the issue, she also looked into a complaint the fraternity made concerning the pipes in their basement, discovering a number of kegs in the process.

According to Brown, the kegs were being stored there by a brother who had a non-affiliated off-campus party. Kappa Sigma refused to divulge the name of the member who was storing the kegs.

"The discovery of the kegs, added on to the fact that we were on the Trustee Program, led to our charter being revoked," Brown said. "The fact that we didn't give up names was one of the main reasons."

Despite his disappointment with the situation, Brown feels the decision was a fair one.

"I guess from their perspective it was a fair decision," he said. "I am disappointed because the fraternity does mean a lot to me as well as the members in it. In a sense, it's probably better off in the long term for the fraternity."

The revocation of Kappa Sigma's charter also raises the question as to which Greek organization will be the next to call the Kappa Sigma house home.

According to Torrey, in all cases except for one, the university owns both the land and the facilities in which Greek organizations are housed.

It is common practice that when a fraternity is suspended the house is used for other university purposes while that fraternity is gone, she said.

"We are still making a determination about what the best course of action will be," Torrey said. "No groups have been contacted regarding the use of the facility."

Torrey said a decision as to what is the best plan of action will be made after the Office of Greek Life is able to meet with Dean of Students Mark Bandas.

National Pan-Hellenic Council President Steven Harris said Kappa Sigma's situation is an unfortunate one, but it does present an opportunity for the council.

"If it does present an opportunity we will definitely look into it," Harris said. "On first look, we didn't see the loss of Kappa Sigma's charter as an event for the NPHC to capitalize on."

The NPHC lost their former fraternity house when Sigma Nu returned to campus this year.

Harris also said the NPHC is currently drafting their own housing proposal.

"Even if this opportunity does not present itself, we won't be lessened in our resolve to continue to work on our own housing proposal that we will present in the spring," Harris said.

Jeffrey Moredock, president of Sigma Phi Epsilon, said he feels that due to the circumstances under which Sigma Phi Epsilon was brought onto campus, the chances of his fraternity gaining rights to the house are small.

"We were brought onto this campus under the expressed understanding that we would never have a house on campus," Moredock said. "I guess there is always a chance if the university smiled upon us, but as for the time being, I don't see our letters being put on the Kappa Sigma house."

Delta Gamma President Dessa Fejta did not return repeated calls for comment.

Brown, however, said he feels that no one should be housed at the Kappa Sigma house.

"I don't think they should put anyone in here to live," Brown said. "I think they should either upgrade the standard of living or tear it down and build a new one."