The University of Central Florida suspended all Greek life Wednesday after reports of hazing and alcohol abuse.
The decision came a week after UCF’s Sigma Chi fraternity was also suspended for posting a Facebook picture with the caption, “Forcing a pledge to chug while two others puke in misery,” according to Central Florida News 13.
UCF fraternities and sororities are prohibited from socials as well as new member initiations and are only permitted to hold organizational business meetings.
UF spokeswoman Janine Sikes said she couldn’t speculate about what circumstances would lead to a blanket suspension at UF.
“We would have to consider all of the issues at hand,” she said.
According to the UCF Fraternity and Sorority Life website, chapter activities may resume when the university believes the Greek community reflects the UCF values and is compliant with laws and university regulations dealing with hazing and alcohol.
Albie Kaminsky, Interfraternity Council president and UF finance senior, said he was sad to hear about what happened.
“You never want to see something like that,” he said. “It gives fraternities and sororities a bad name. Actions by some can ruin it for many.”
Kaminsky said UF Greek life has taken measures to prevent hazing, like a presentation about hazing at the new members orientation Sunday. Also, UF administration formed the Anti-Hazing Task Force in 2011 in the wake of issues at Florida A&M University.
Some members of UF’s chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, a National Pan-Hellenic Council fraternity, were charged with hazing last year. Students were allegedly forced to do chores, slapped and beaten with paddles. Kappa Alpha Psi was also investigated. Most recently, UF’s chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon — Sig Ep — was closed for a number of charges including hazing, according to Alligator archives.
Contact Julia Glum at jglum@alligator.org. and Alexa Volland at avolland@alligator.org.
