From the Orlando Sentinel
UCF suspends fraternity for 1 year over accident
By David Damron | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted December 11, 2003
The University of Central Florida imposed a one-year suspension on Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity Wednesday over a suspected hazing incident involving the head-on collision of two trucks on a campus road.
Barring a successful appeal, which the chapter has seven days to make, members will be barred from recruiting or taking part in social or campus events until 2005. They can continue to live in the chapter house at 4321 Greek Park Drive, UCF spokesman Tom Evelyn said.
"If they did anything else, that would be the end of them on campus," Evelyn said.
The punishment followed a closed hearing Monday involving witnesses and UCF administrators. A suspension is a more severe penalty than probation, another option available to the university, but is less severe than expulsion.
The accident on Gemini Boulevard occurred early Oct. 16. UCF police reports indicate that some of the young men in the trucks had their hands bound with duct tape. Several were hurt, including one man whose nose was severely cut.
The report also indicated that alcohol likely was involved.
Chapter members have declined requests to comment on the incident and suspension. The fraternity president at the time, Richard Frucci, denied after the crash that pledges had their hands taped together and that alcohol was involved.
Wednesday's report did not disclose testimony from the hearing or offer an explanation of the incident. But, Evelyn said, "We determined, based on what we heard [at the hearing], that it was hazing."
A national fraternity spokesman in Evanston, Ill., said late Wednesday that he was unaware of the suspension and would not comment on it.
But based on an internal investigation, certain members of the UCF chapter will be kicked out, national spokesman Chris Munday said.
"We'll have a report soon on which members will be asked to leave," Munday said.
In order to be restored on campus, the fraternity must submit various compliance reports and take part in volunteer and educational programs.
UCF's hazing rule bans: "Any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health and/or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into, or association with, any organization."
UCF has had only one other hazing suspension in the past three years, officials said.
"This is one of the most serious cases we've seen," said Bill Faulkner, director of UCF's Student Leadership Programs office. "It's quite rare."
David Damron can be reached at
ddamron@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5311.
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