UF sorority Sigma Lambda Gamma, an 18-member Latina-based group, has been shut down for five years by its national organization for hazing activities that included push-ups and restrictions on Facebook usage.
UF's Greek Judicial Board, now the Greek Conduct Committee, also recommended a one one-year suspension followed by one year of probation in February. Paige Crandall, UF's interim dean of students, approved the recommendations on March 20.
UF's sanctions are basically irrelevant, though, said Chris Loschiavo, director of UF's Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution.
Under the national organization's decision, which revoked the chapter's charter, it will be at least 2014 before a new chapter of the sorority can be formed on the UF campus, Loschiavio said.
According to UF records, the hazing occurred last fall as part of a program for new members.
The recruits had to follow a list of 37 rules, a report from the judicial board stated, "which include no make-up, fast food, Facebook, no shortcuts such as elevators or cutting through grass, and must have permission to go someplace other than where they are supposed to be."
The report also stated that new members were subjected to push-ups, running and sleep deprivation.
The evidence of hazing came from the testimonies of two girls, according to the report.
The report noted UF's definition of hazing includes actions or situations that endanger the mental or physical health or safety of a student.
In unanimously recommending the chapter's suspension and probation, the board noted the chapter had a history of hazing violations.
The chapter was suspended for three years in 2003, said Danielle Pechac, who assumed presidency of the chapter when it was allowed back on campus in 2006 and served until the summer of 2008, the semester before the hazing occurred.
Pechac declined to comment on the specifics of the hazing detailed in the board's report but said the chapter admitted guilt and accepted responsibility.
She said the chapter, which currently has no house, had been doing well since its reinstatement.
"We did everything to try and prevent this situation from happening again," she said.
The group even accepted the award for best chapter in 2007-2008 from the Multicultural Greek Council in November, she said.
But 10 minutes before receiving the award, the chapter got a letter from UF informing it of its temporary suspension due to allegations of hazing.
"It was an emotional rollercoaster," she said. "It was just, you know, the best and worst thing at the exact same time."
Pechac said she doesn't understand why the punishment from the national organization was so much harsher than UF's ruling.
"They (the members of the board) were willing to give us more opportunity than my national headquarters was," she said.
Questions about the national organization's decision were referred to its director, who could not be reached by e-mail.
Pechac said she's hurt but hopeful.
"We will work though every consequence that we were given," she said. "We can and we will survive it."
