U. of Florida Investigating Alleged Damages at Sorority Event

[exlurker]

The October 24 online issue of the Tampa Tribune reports that the U. of Florida is investigating a restaurant's allegations (made in a complaint to the university) that sorority members and their dates caused damages at an event a couple of weeks ago:

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/oct...t-uf-sorority/

Here's hoping that at least some of the allegations are overblown. However, the kinds of alleged behavior described in the paper's report have certainly made news at other schools over the past few years / semesters.

[ZTAmillz]

A sad day for Zeta. I do wonder where the advisors where??

[ZTABullwinkle]

We have quite a few UF Zetas on GC. I hope that maybe they can help to explain what happened at the restaurant. Then again, they may not be able to.

[ZTAMich]

I remeber being in Tampa for Convention a few years ago and we were all told to STAY AWAY from Ybor City. Hmmmm

[exlurker]

For what it's worth, in addition to the Tampa paper's coverage, the student paper has a news story:
http://www.alligator.org/articles/20...fairs/zeta.txt

Brief excerpts:
The chapter is currently interviewing every member of the chapter as part of an investigation that could take several weeks . . . .

Orlando [identified as a university spokesman] said the sorority's national office also apologized to the restaurant, offered to pay for the damage costs and told the UF chapter it is prohibited from any activities involving alcohol until further notice.


The student paper also has an editorial :
http://www.alligator.org/articles/20...ion/editorials

[ZTAmillz]

Originally Posted by exlurker

The student paper also has an editorial :
http://www.alligator.org/articles/20...ion/editorials

Wow! what a harsh but true reality.

[icicle22]

Originally Posted by exlurker

The October 24 online issue of the Tampa Tribune reports that the U. of Florida is investigating a restaurant's allegations (made in a complaint to the university) that sorority members and their dates caused damages at an event a couple of weeks ago:

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/oct...t-uf-sorority/

Here's hoping that at least some of the allegations are overblown. However, the kinds of alleged behavior described in the paper's report have certainly made news at other schools over the past few years / semesters.

Wow.

[exlurker]

The Tampa paper has somewhat updated article:

http://www.tbo.com/news/metro/MGBKQ7WQ68F.html

Excerpt:

In a written statement, the sorority's national president said the UF chapter is prohibited from holding social events that include alcohol while her staff investigates the complaint. "These actions do not represent the high ideals of our 109-year-old sisterhood," Zeta Tau Alpha National President Laura Ladewig Mauro said.

[SigKapSweetie]

Originally Posted by ZTAMich

I remeber being in Tampa for Convention a few years ago and we were all told to STAY AWAY from Ybor City. Hmmmm

Ybor itself has a few seedy parts that can be dangerous at night, which is probably why you were told to avoid it. However, The Columbia is an absolute institution here in Tampa - it's the place you take out-of-towners to impress them, and the place you go for graduations and big celebrations. Our med school sometimes holds post-graduation dinners there. I've never really seen people in the general public get upset about damages done to a restaurant, but The Columbia is important to a lot of Tampa residents.

[FSUZeta]

i don't know any uf gators currently on gc, and even if there were, i don't know that they would share any information.

i am glad that the sorority is holding an investigation and that nationals is involved. it is too bad when something like this happens, to any chapter of any sorority or fraternity.

advisors are not required to attend social functions-most of us are in bed by the time the socials begin!!

[exlurker]

Originally Posted by SECdomination

First of all, The Alligator, the student newspaper, is NEVER based on any facts. It's probably the absolute worst publication in the history of newspapers.

Second, this sort of thing actually happens quite often down here. But most of the time, everything is settled through the chapter and NOT through the school.

Thirdly, it probably wasn't the girls causing all the trouble. Most likely, it was their obnoxious, disrespectful, and trashy dates.

People keep mentioning their philanthropy because that's what they're good at. They just had it tonight, so I'm not sure how much money was raised, but I heard they were over $20,000 earlier this week.

SECdomination, thanks for your comments!

I've been well aware for some time of The Alligator's reputation (deserved or not) for being "anti-Greek," etc., which is why I've mentioned articles in the Tampa paper, and why I prefaced a mention of the Alligator's coverage with the phrase "for what it's worth."

Yes, the kind of behavior described in the articles -- I think of it as "you-can't-let-'em-out-in-public") -- isn't confined to FL. UGA comes to mind, and there've been similar incidents reported far away from the SEC. Princeton, Penn, Washington-St.Louis, come to mind, and a little farther back in time, but well within memory, Northwestern.

One issue, I think, is the extent of pregaming or prepartying and the lack of realization about the likely effects of loading up in advance on too many shots or drinks.

Finally, congratulations on the ZTA philanthropic fundraising. I applaud and respect what they do on national and local levels in that regard.

[als463]

Was anyone else disgusted by some of the comments made about "buying friends" and "rich spoiled sluts"??? I'm not even a Zeta and I never went to UF (I'm a Penn State alum) but, I'm upset for them! I got it that they screwed up-okay! But, is it really worth calling them names? That could have just as easily been my sorority (or anyone else's for that matter) because apparently the area is very Anti-Greek...Then you have adults saying things like, "These are the leaders of tomorrow?" Come on-they screwed up and maybe it's really being blown out of proportion but, to sit there and automatically assume that a.) they are a bunch of spoiled sluts, b.) they have no pride in themselves or their organization, c.) they are the ONLY group to have ever made a scene at a bar, club, etc. and d.) because they are sorority girls they are "paying for friends" is absolutely ridiculous!!! As a sorority alumna-that upsets me...Good Luck to the ZTAs at UF because after this with nasty people doing nothing but complaining and pointing fingers-the sisters are gonna' have a hard time fixing their reputation with the University President....Oh-and for those Non-Greeks that hate hate Greeks-We should congratulate ZTA for raising great amounts for their Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Philanthropies throughout the nation!

[ZTAngel]

The UF ZTAs are an excellent chapter. Top chapter on campus, good grades, raise a lot of money for our philanthropy and are highly-respected. I just can't fathom that it was the women who caused all this damage. In fact, even The Alligator said that most of the damage was caused the girls' dates. I'm certainly not condoning the actions of the UF ZTAs but the article is extremely biased and definitely reeks of disdain for the Greek community.

These types of things happen on date functions, unfortunately. You bring a bunch of drunk guys from different fraternities together in one room and...well...things happen. I think many of us have seen this happen during one of our date functions although maybe not to this extent but I can certainly see how it could have progressed into what it did.

[kdonline]

Originally Posted by SECdomination

First of all, The Alligator, the student newspaper, is NEVER based on any facts. It's probably the absolute worst publication in the history of newspapers.

I don't mean to hijack this thread by defending The Alligator, but this comment is 100% incorrect.

You may not like what is printed, but The Alligator has been a model of journalistic integrity longer than you've been alive. Most of the reporters are JM majors & have their own budding professional reputations at stake.

[Tom Earp]

I guess someone from that particular area does not know everything compared to those who are more current with this written journal.