Monday brought relief to over 40 Greek organizations at the University of Central Florida who, after weeks of being suspended, received permission to resume new member education, initiation and recruitment activities, as well as approved social events
Both fraternities and sororities were required to hold presentations to address topics such as what steps they will take to prevent hazing and underage drinking, what alcohol education programming they will offer to their members and how members will be held accountable within their organizations and the Greek community.
“Moving forward, we remain focused on the prevention of alcohol misuse and hazing,” Clay Coleman, UCF’s director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, wrote in reinstatement letters to the chapters. “It is important that all of our chapters continue to engage their new and active members in effective educational programs related to the dangers associated with alcohol misuse and hazing. We also will ensure that all of our organizations’ new members are informed of their rights prior to and during the new member process.”
Forty-one of the 47 chapters were reinstated, including 16 that are required to provide follow-up information to the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life about improvements in their plans, according to UCF officials. Those 16 are: Chi Upsilon Sigma, Lambda Theta Alpha, Mu Sigma Upsilon, Sigma Lambda Gamma, Alpha Tau Omega, Delta Upsilon, Lambda Theta Phi, Phi Delta Theta, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Alpha Delta Pi, Chi Omega, Delta Zeta, Kappa Delta, Zeta Tau Alpha, Phi Beta Sigma and Sigma Gamma Rho
UCF also says two chapters, Alpha Kappa Alpha and Omega Psi Phi, at their own request, were given more time to further develop their plans for reinstatement. Three chapters, Alpha Epsilon Pi, Lambda Chi Alpha and Sigma Chi, were not eligible to seek reinstatement because of active student conduct cases. One chapter is a developing colony, not yet eligible for the reinstatement process.
The school halted social, new member and initiation activities on Feb. 21 in response to concerns of alcohol and hazing issues.
Just last week, lawyers representing organizations in both fraternities and sororities wrote letters demanding that UCF reinstate the organizations.
