UCF suspends
the Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity while the university investigates accusations of underage drinking, sexual misconduct and hazing.
The University of Central Florida has suspended a fraternity while it investigates accusations that the group hosted a party where a member had sex with someone who was too drunk to consent.
Members of the UCF chapter of the Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity also face allegations that they hazed pledges and drank while underage during the past spring, according to documents received from the university through a public records request.
The local fraternity chapter referred a request for comment to the national organization. Lambda Theta Phi executive director Jarrod Cruz wrote in an email that the fraternity also is investigating the accusations.
“We find the allegations disturbing as they stand in direct contradiction to our mission and values to promote the spirit of brotherhood, empower Latinx students, and promote Latinx culture,” he wrote.
The UCF police department is not investigating the allegations, said Courtney Gilmartin, a spokeswoman for the university. The fraternity does not have a house on campus and it’s unclear from the report where the party and hazing occurred.
Documents from the university detail several accusations reported to the university’s hazing hotline, including an “after-party” for the presentation of the fraternity’s newest members, where they drank and one member had sex with someone who was “severely mentally, physically incapacitated.”
After the party, members circulated a photo that depicted how drunk the person was before the sexual intercourse occurred, according to the accusations outlined in the report.
Besides the incident at the party, three of the newest fraternity members were hazed, according to the accusations in the report. The men had to live with each other for three to four weeks and had to complete exercises that “pushed them to physical and mental exhaustion” while reciting information about the history of the chapter and national organization, the report said.
“Members have also coerced a story as to what their pledging process was like in order to ‘protect the chapter,’ from any form of repercussions,” according to the accusations.
Fraternity members are set to meet with university staff for a hearing about the suspension on Monday. UCF issues interim suspensions to organizations in “unusual cases” where the welfare of any individual or any part of the university or community is concerned, according to a letter from the Office of Student Conduct to the fraternity.
The fraternity isn’t allowed to participate in fundraisers, socials, intramural competitions, receptions, service projects, chapter meetings or conference during the suspension period.
Earlier this year, UCF placed the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity on probation after a student held an unloaded gun at a pledge’s neck, a violation of the university’s hazing policy.