The Chi Omega women’s fraternity at UCF has appealed their suspension, which UCF imposed until Spring 2015.
Chi Omega cited irregularities in fairness, discovery of new evidence and the sanctions being disproportionate to the violations as reasons for appealing the suspension.
“This entire rationale simply does not align with any of the facts or evidence presented in the formal hearing nor on any of the documents or videos reviewed by the panel prior to and outside the formal hearing,” Chi Omega wrote in their appeal letter to UCF.
If the suspension is upheld, Chi Omega would be unable to participate in fall 2014 recruitment and will be forced out of their on-campus house which they moved into in fall 2013. They will also face disciplinary probation through spring 2015 and summer 2015.
The victim provided a statement for the appeal saying that she did not believe participating in the event hinged on her initiation into Chi Omega.
“I understand the hearing panel was concerned with my police interview comment that I thought this was something I had to do. In no way was I under the impression that the event taking place on April 4, 2014 was related to Chi Omega or my upcoming initiation. My participation in the event was not because I thought I might not be initiated into Chi Omega if I didn’t participate, but rather because I trusted Marae and didn’t want to personally disappoint her,” the victim said.
Chi Omega’s appeal comes as UCF is fighting to prevent the public from monitoring UCF’s controversial hearings in court. Knight News filed a Sunshine Lawsuit against UCF after UCF refused to open organizational conduct hearings to the public.
The three members of Chi Omega police say were involved in the incident, Marae Genie Watkins-Creel, Lauren Nicole Hartwell and Maribeth Ann Snyder all resigned their membership from Chi Omega.
The University decision is expected sometime in June.
