A UF fraternity is under investigation for a reported hazing incident.
Alpha Phi Alpha, a National Pan-Hellenic Council fraternity, has been implicated in a hazing incident that occurred over the weekend, said interim vice president for Student Affairs Dave Kratzer.
The incident was reported on Saturday, according to the University Police Department's Crime Log. However, the hazing began Jan. 9, the first day of the spring semester.
UF President Bernie Machen emailed a statement to students Tuesday afternoon to announce that UPD is investigating the incident. The Division of Student Affairs is assisting in the investigation, he said.
Machen did not name the fraternity, but Kratzer confirmed it was Alpha Phi Alpha.
"With the nature of this investigation, there is simply not a lot that we can discuss at this time," said UPD spokesman Maj. Brad Barber.
Kratzer said no one was hospitalized as a result of the hazing, which occurred off campus.
University regulations specifically prohibit hazing, Machen said in his statement. Hazing is also illegal in the state of Florida.
At Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, marching band drum major Robert Champion was beaten to death in November in what was deemed a hazing incident.
The hazing at FAMU has drawn attention to the issue, said Alpha Kappa Alpha parliamentarian and Student Government Division Chair for Campus Life Sabine Justilien. Alpha Kappa Alpha is an unofficial sister sorority of Alpha Phi Alpha, she said.
Justilien said it's hard to combat hazing when people aren't as upfront about the issue as they should be.
She declined to comment on the specifics of the UF Alpha Phi Alpha hazing incident.
Students proved guilty of hazing could face expulsion and criminal charges, Machen said in his statement.
Derrious Robinson, president of UF's Theta Sigma chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, could not be reached for comment.
