University of Central Florida Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity Hazing incident May have included Sexually Assault of Pledges (UPDATE: CLOSED DOWN)
The Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity at the University of Central Florida appear to be in some 
major trouble. The fraternity has been suspended by its national charter after three students were found so drunk that they need to be hospitalized. Now SAE is being investigated in a hazing ritual where some of the pledges may have been sexually assaulted.
School officials investigating an apparent hazing ritual at a fraternity house on the University of Central Florida campus in which pledges were found in diapers, fairy wings and women’s panties told Local 6 News that there is evidence that several of them may have been sexually assaulted.
University police, acting on a tip, said they noticed loud, aggressive screaming and moaning coming from the SAE fraternity house.
“At first, students would not let police into the fraternity house because they said they were performing a ritual,” Local 6′s Louis Bolden said. “Apparently, that ritual included male students dressing up like women and drinking until they had to be hospitalized.”
Friday, Local 6 News reported that a university official close to the investigation confirmed that a police investigation has been launched into whether the men were sexually assaulted.
UPDATE: (11/9/06) Florida University Shut Down After Hazing Incident
Looks like a bade case of when Animal House goes wrong, terribly wrong. What gets me is how on earth any self respecting person would allow anyone to do this to them? With the price of what college tuition (UCF: $3,502 in-state, $17,027 out-of-state) is these days? Exactly why would anyone allow themselves or want to be a part of something that would do this? Better than that, those that did this to the pledges have a firm grasp of right and wrong. The sad fact is that this is the tip of the iceberg … SAE just happened to get caught.
Police said they found pledges crawling on their hands and knees and wearing items such as diapers and women’s underwear, three men were taken to a hospital, and the house smelled of beer, urine and vomit. (AP)
Let’s take a look at what UCF has to say about their fraternities on their web-page.
Fraternity and Sorority Life will be a premier Greek community that fosters an inclusive environment committed to academic excellence, community engagement, personal and leadership development in a safe and supportive environment … (UCF)
Yep, nothing says “personal and leadership development in a safe environment” like wearing woman’s underwear and spelling like urine and vomit.
The mission of Fraternity and Sorority Life at the University of Central Florida is to provide a quality and safe undergraduate fraternal experience that enhances student development through the active advising of student leaders. We endeavor to provide opportunities that will create life-long bonds through the principles encompassed in fraternal values … (UCF)
Nothing says life-long bonds like making another dress in a diaper or female underwear and get them so intoxicated that they need to be hospitalized. The end result is that Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter at UCF was closed. Lets hope that they brain-trust as UCF decides to take a look at the rest of the Greek system as well on their college campus.
The Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter will be closed immediately, said Brandon Weghorst, a spokesman for the Evanston, Ill.-based fraternity.
“Our board does not feel it’s worth the effort to rehabilitate the group,” Weghorst said Wednesday. He said as many as two-thirds of the chapter’s approximately 90 members may have been involved.
The chapter, at the school since the university opened in 1968, was previously suspended for a year in 2003 for a suspected hazing.
Chapter president Dru Dalton did not immediately return a message seeking comment Thursday. (AP)
I hate that word, “maaaybe” It leaves too much to the
imagination. Either it happened or it didn’t.
But, as usual, I find this to be totally disgusting.
I talked to dutch hog and I think I may be a bit
homophobic… but I just can’t help it.
To me this is just plain down nasty… Maybe these
boys need to get busy doing something other than
hazing people. Don’t they have any soccer clubs
or mud wrestling contests down there????
Come on, Guys!!! My motto has always been, “Boys
will be Boys”, but this it is getting harder for
me to defend you.
Some things just ARN’t that funny…..
Comment by Patti | November 5, 2006
[...] It is hard to imagine that anyone still involves themselves with this type of nonsense in this day and age. Read the bizarre and over the stop story at Missing & Exploited as to the insanity that went on at this fraternity that cost them their charter. One wonders just how many suspensions, expulsions and potential criminal actions may come from this. [...]
Pingback by Scared Monkeys | November 9, 2006
Patti, you were not ever in a fraternity or a fraternal hazing, however, like you say, boys will be boys.
how can you ever defend the behavior of drunk people?
Comment by Jon | November 9, 2006
Well….. that statement was made before any charges were
filed and, quite frankly, I could relate to having fun,
playing dress up and having a few drinks; even taking pic-
tures to later laugh about. I guess, for women, it’s fun
to dress guys up like girls put lipstick on them, paint
their toenails!?!?!?!?! Maybe in the same way that you
all laugh at us while we’re doin’ it. But, this, was
different and ended up going too far – or atleast it sounds
that way.
My motto, “Boys will be Boys” is an excuse for some of the
stupid, but harmless, things that you do. Like get drunk
and switch the beer with pee, now that’s boys being boys.
Even putting a frog in someone’s bed, or covering their
hairy legs with honey is boys being boys. But sexually
assaulting someone… that’s a crime.
Momma don’t bail you out for this.
Comment by Patti | November 10, 2006
Switching the beer with pee is funny? Ever hear of Hepatitis C? Is it funny as well? And odd thing about Hep C is that most people are never sure how they contracted it. No exchange of bodily fluids from unknowns is funny any more.
At least not to those on the receiving end.
Comment by Mortella | November 10, 2006
I think it’s about time a fraternity cracked the whip at the top level. You can thank the absent-minded parents of the Staus Quoe for the bad breed of kids today! They are everywhere! Now, we can thank atleast one fraternity for upholding tradition and values and teaching these kids they do not run the show and that you will be held accountable for your actions. We need MUCH more of this! Hats off to the leadership who dared to “Be True!”.
To the boys, I say Recess is over. Get back to class!
Cheers!
John O.
Comment by John O. | November 17, 2006
As an alumnus of UCF and SAE I am amazed that this has happened. It amazes me that only 8 years ago when I was there things like this never went on.
The UCF SAE Chapter at one point was one of the best in the country for charity and leadership amongst campus group and activities. The problem is we never get credit for raising $35k in a week for the United Way, so people get this stereo typical image we are all drunks and has no self respect.
You know what they say, it only takes a few bad apples to spoil the bunch. Sad say for those pledges and their families. All involved should be brought up on charges if there is proven wrongful doing.
_______
M&E: Sean, you do make a good point. A really good point, actually. Sad part though is that the frats are to blame for their own stereo-types in many cases. Trust me I do not look at this with blinders on or as a choir boy. Although, never wanting to belong to a frat in college, I did play rugby … which had its own stereotypes.
However, there has always been a stereo-type and the reality is that most cases of hazing or underage drinking never get reported.
In a way I blame the frats, though. They do not make it a point to have “good will” and charitable drives made the focus either. Its far more cool to promote yourself as the party frat. Sad reality.
Comment by Sean | November 18, 2006