UCF fraternity under investigation for swastika hazing
The picture, obtained by Knight News, showed the blindfolded Phi Gamma Delta pledge with a tinfoil swastika placed in his lap.
The university said the incident happened in 2023, but came to light this past fall after someone anonymously left the picture outside an administrative building. They said university staff worked to track down which fraternity was involved and determined the student in the picture didn't know what the object in his lap was.
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'This does not diminish the seriousness of this incident or the harm caused,' a statement from the school said. 'We are continuing to pursue this matter following the policies and processes as outlined in the Golden Rule Student Handbook. Phi Gamma Delta remains on interim action.'
The university did not explain what interim action meant, but Knight News reported the fraternity was banned from the upcoming rush season and unable to participate in official recruiting activities.
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The national headquarters of Phi Gamma Delta did not respond to a request for comment. Coverage from other local news outlets in different states revealed UCF's chapter is at least the third Phi Gamma Delta chapter to face disciplinary action for hazing since the school year began, with the others being at the University of Arkansas and The University of Oklahoma.
UCF has had a history of hazing incidents. Just in a three-year time span between 2017 and 2019, fraternities and students faced disciplinary action for multiple alcohol- and drug-related hazing incidents, including one where a shot gun was pointed at a student's head.
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Few incidents have emerged since the 2020 pandemic, though, and students outside of other fraternities told WFTV Thursday they don't hear of hazing happening often.
'This incident will not deter us from our mission to provide a welcoming, safe campus environment for every student,' UCF's statement said. 'The university will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that acts of hazing have no place at UCF.'
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