University of Central Florida suspends fraternity for antisemitic hazing ritual
Campus chapter of Pi Gamma Delta allegedly bound and blindfolded a student and forced him to hold a swastika
Zev Stub is the Times of Israel's Diaspora Affairs correspondent.
Following reports of an antisemitic hazing ritual on a student, the University of Central Florida (UCF) has suspended the campus chapter of Pi Gamma Delta, one of North America’s largest fraternities.
The decision stems from a photo submitted to the university from a spring 2023 ritual in which a student was bound and blindfolded while being forced to hold a swastika.
The photo was submitted by an anonymous whistleblower during the fall 2024 semester, who said they got it from a friend’s phone. The image was also shared with local news outlets.
After conducting an investigation, UCF put Phi Gamma Delta under interim suspension, barring it from all activities. University officials strongly condemned the incident.
“We are appalled to have recently received an image that was taken in Spring 2023 as part of a hazing ritual that took place at an off-campus location,” the university told a university news site earlier this month. “UCF unequivocally condemns hazing and acts of antisemitism.”
UCF noted that it understands that the student in the photo was blindfolded and unaware of the swastika positioned on his lap. However, it said, “this does not diminish the seriousness of this incident or the harm caused.”
Maybe the least bad UCF fraternity hazing photo. pic.twitter.com/AtMMqTQTtx
— John “Long John” Jackman (@LongJohn1962) February 6, 2025
The fraternity has been placed under interim suspension, a preliminary measure in effect until a final decision is made on how to proceed. UCF has not disclosed further details about the incident or its scope.
UCF has the third-largest Jewish student population among US universities, according to data compiled by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). Its 6,300 undergraduate Jewish students comprise 11% of the undergraduate student population, while 1,500 Jewish students make up 16% of graduate students. The university has a Hillel, Chabad, and Jewish Greek life organizations, according to the ADL.
Following the revelation of the incident, the Hillel of UCF praised the university administration’s quick response, which it said made it clear that Jewish students are welcome at UCF.
“We look forward to continuing our work with the university to educate the wider campus community on the many forms and dangers of antisemitism,” it said.
