By Annie Hays and Matt Beil, Staff Writers
On February 20th all Greek Life organizations at UCF were suspended until at least the end of the spring semester due to hazing and alcohol violations.
The situation began earlier this month when two fraternities, Sigma Chi and Alpha Epsilon Pi, were charged with hazing and alcohol violations. Sigma Chi was the first to be charged because of a photo of hazing that surfaced during a fraternal event.
An official report filed on February 7th by the Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life obtained from Knight News.com says the photo was taken at a bar in Orlando. One person in the picture is being given alcohol from a cup, and two others are sitting on the couch, apparently sick from too much alcohol.
A witness asked one of his friends what was going on, and his friend said, “The Sigma Chi pledges seemed to be involved in a drinking event with chapter members.”
Later that month, Alpha Epsilon Pi allegedly had alcohol on a bus they had chartered, and there was “forced consumption by new members” according to Local 6 News.
Even though only two of the 46 Greek Organizations on the UCF campus were reported to have had these serious violations, on February 20th, “UCF officially announced they will halt all Greek activities including socials, new member education and initiation activities in order to work with fraternities and sororities on comprehensively addressing alcohol and hazing issues according to the UCF Fraternity and Sorority Life,” said Knight News.
Maribeth Ehasz, Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, said she does not know when Greek Life will start back up, but she thinks some of the organizations will be able to get going by the end of the spring semester according to Knight News.
Connor Ellis, the Saint Leo IFC Recruitment Chair, says while there is a no hazing, no tolerance policy on this campus, it is unlikely all Greek Life would be suspended. It would simply “depend on the severity of the situation.”
When asked if he agrees with UCF’s actions, he said he does not because, “there are a lot of really good organizations… I know a lot of the organizations didn’t do anything, and they’re getting in trouble because of what two organizations did.”
Two other Saint Leo students were asked and weighed in with their opinion on the matter. First was Kristina Valencia, a junior, studying political science and a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma. The second was Justin Paulauskis, a senior communications major and a member of SAE
As a member of a Sigma Sigma Sigma how do you feel about colleges removing Greek life from their campuses?
“I think Greek life helps freshman to get to know people and open up new paths to friendships. It is not for everyone, but it does help people go out and find friends beyond their social network,” he said.
As a member of SAE how do you feel about colleges removing Greek life from their campuses?
“To be completely honest I’m upset about it. People holding power over Greek life who don’t understand the traditions, practice and rituals that ever member goes through. I know everyone is up in arms about hazing, but there are simple requirements that have been blown out of proportion.”
Q: As a member of a Sigma Sigma Sigma how would you feel if Saint Leo removed Greek life from its campus?
“It would be a sad thing if Saint Leo removed Greek life from campus. By removing Greek life you are limiting men and woman from meeting new people. Regardless I am a member of Tri-sigma and I love my sisters very much,” she said.
“I don’t really care as I will be leaving in two semesters, but it would be nice to come back and see my fraternity on campus.”
