USF fraternity council condemns sexual assault amid member’s arrest
USF’s Interfraternity Council released (IFC) a statement this week condemning actions of sexual assault “in light of recent events,” according to an Instagram post from the council.
“We stand with the survivor who was affected in this incident,” the council said Tuesday. “The member who committed this despicable act does not represent the values and morals of IFC.”
IFC, an organization of 15 fraternity chapters at the university, did not specify the name of the member it referenced in the post. IFC also didn’t say if the member would face any disciplinary actions from the fraternity.
On Oct. 25, USF student Andrew Lake, 21, was arrested on charges of sexual battery on a person 18 years or older, according to a report from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
Lake listed on his LinkedIn that he is a member of USF’s Sigma Chi Fraternity and will graduate in May 2024.
The local chapter, founded in 1979, has 67 active members. Among its core values: “integrity” and “self-control,” according to its page on IFC’s website.
Lake was arrested by the Tampa Police Department at 11326 N 46th St., according to the report. The address is an off-campus apartment complex, The Retreat, where USF’s Sigma Chi is located.
Tampa Police was contacted by a detective and advised of a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office warrant issued against Lake, according to a copy of the affidavit obtained by The Oracle. Upon arrival at Lake’s address, officers made contact with a roommate who had Lake come to the door, according to the affidavit. Lake was placed in handcuffs and advised he was under arrest for the warrant issued against him, according to the affidavit.
More information about the incident is unclear. Details were redacted in the affidavit obtained by The Oracle.
Dean of Students Danielle McDonald confirmed Lake is a USF student in an email sent to The Oracle on Oct. 27.
“In general a student who is arrested may be subject to sanctions from the university for violating the USF Student Code of Conduct,” McDonald said.
In the email, McDonald said USF was unable to provide information on Lake’s disciplinary status due to student privacy laws.
Lake did not return a request for comment last week.
On Oct. 26, Lake posted a $35,000 bond and was released, jail records show. On Monday, Lake pleaded not guilty to second degree felony charges.
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly said Lake is subject to disciplinary actions for violating the USF Student Code of Conduct.
More Stories
Thank you to Oracle readers and supporters
Dear reader: In April, we told you of The Oracle’s challenges as we transition to a fully-digital paper – from budget cuts to a lack of updated technology. We asked for your help and you stepped up. Through your contributions, we raised over $800 just one month after announcing our new fund with the USF […]
Florida’s ‘Stop Woke’ law could endanger USF students’ education, professors say
Elizabeth Aranda has been educating students on Latino history for over two decades. Aranda, a USF sociology professor, said she wouldn’t be able to do her job if Florida’s “Stop Woke” law were put into effect. “Imagine you are an orchestra conductor but you’re missing every third page of the musical score,” Aranda said. “There […]
USF’s decision to replace ‘cultural icon’ Pollo Tropical is disappointing, students say
Upon arriving in Tampa, junior criminology major Ana Hernandez said she felt a certain culture shock. Hernandez, who moved from Venezuela to Miami as a child, found it hard to find familiar food as often as she did in Miami, where the Hispanic community is bigger. USF’s on-campus Pollo Tropical, located just a brief walk […]
New USF residential hall at the Sarasota-Manatee campus to open in August
USF Sarasota-Manatee will open its first residential hall in late August, joining Tampa and St. Pete as a residential campus. With a $43.95 million price tag, the new building will serve as both a student center and residential hall. It will open on Aug. 23, the Friday before fall classes begin. The dorm will allow […]
USF professors discuss 2024 primary: ‘Do not skip this election’
The clock is ticking with less than a month left to register by July 22 for this year’s primary election. With critical races like local school boards and Senate on the line, USF professors are urging students to make their voices heard this election season. Judithanne Scourfield McLauchlan is a political science professor and the […]
Former USF football player killed in car crash
Former USF tight end Teigan Martin was killed in a single-car crash in Minnesota on Monday morning, according to the Carver County Sheriff’s office. First responders responded to a report of a crash on County Road 122 near Hollywood Township, MN, just after 5 a.m., according to a sheriff’s press release. Deputies discovered a vehicle […]