UF's chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, suspended in 2006 until 2011, is leasing its house on University Avenue to another fraternity.
The fraternity, known as Pike, was suspended after it was found guilty at every level of UF's judicial system for holding an unregistered party in September 2006, allegedly serving alcohol to minors and for disregarding the possible endangerment of an individual or group.
Those charges were dropped by the State Attorney's Office due to lack of evidence, but UF's suspension continues.
Tau Kappa Epsilon, known as TKE, will rent the Pike house, 1904 W. University Ave., for the 2008-2009 academic year.
TKE members will begin moving in on July 1.
Patrick Duffey, Pike's president, said he could not release the exact price of TKE's 12-month lease.
"TKE is going to be paying us a good lease rate, and we view this as an opportunity to help out some fellow fraternities," Duffey said.
He said under UF's suspension, the fraternity is not allowed to host any activities, and its property operates as any other apartment building, not as a fraternity house.
Kevin Mayeux, TKE's CEO, said UF's chapter rented Phi Gamma Delta's house on Fraternity Row for two years, but TKE would benefit from the doubled size of Pike's house.
Mayeux said the chapter has 100 members, up from the 30 it claimed in 2003, and this house will allow more meeting space. The house is in a "highly-visible" location and conveniently across from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, he added.
Mayeux added that the chapter is looking for locations to build its own house in 2010.
Duffey said Pike is unsure about its own property plans after TKE's lease expires.
The fraternity's suspension is being challenged before the Florida First District Court of Appeal today at 2 p.m. in Tallahassee.
Duffey said Pike would challenge the way UF handled the fraternity's investigation and punishment.
"It's about making sure we don't check our constitutional rights at the gates of UF," Duffey said.
UF spokeswoman Janine Sikes said she couldn't comment until after today's hearing.
