UF Shuts Down Frat Accused of Harassing Wounded Veterans

The University of Florida fraternity at the epicenter of controversy over allegations of abuse of wounded veterans has been officially shut down.

The university announced the closing “effective immediately” via its website Tuesday.

“I continue to be saddened and disappointed by the reported mistreatment and disrespect of our military veterans,” UF President Kent Fuchs said in the statement. “Our university has always honored, and will always honor, the service of veterans. The reported conduct of this fraternity contradicts the values of service and respect that are at the center of this university.”

The closing comes on the heels of a mid-April retreat to Panama City for wounded veterans. The Warrior Beach Retreat is a weeklong event that is meant to serve as “a time that can give them (veterans) hope to carry on … a feeling that their sacrifice was not in vain … and a knowing that we as a nation are truly grateful for their service and sacrifice,” the event’s website states. Veterans and their caregivers are provided access to the retreat at no charge courtesy of fundraising efforts.

The retreat turned out to be anything but peaceful, according to allegations. The veterans’ festivities were allegedly disrupted by UF fraternity members who were taking part in a spring social with students from Georgia’s Emory University.

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The UF students are accused of harassing the wounded veterans, yelling at them and spitting on them.

The brouhaha that erupted drew the attention of the Panama City Beach Police Department. While no arrests were made, the Gainesville Sun reported the students created quite a ruckus at the Laketown Wharf Resort. Members of the UF fraternity are also accused of stealing veterans’ flags from cars and throwing beer bottles from balconies, among other things.

The students were thrown off the resort’s property by management on April 18, but no official police report was filed. It doesn’t appear as if Emory students were involved in the ruckus.

UF initially suspended Zeta Beta Tau, but opted for the closing Tuesday instead.

Matthew J. Rubins, the fraternity’s international president, also issued a statement.

“We are absolutely disgusted by the accusations that have been made regarding the behavior of certain members of this chapter. ZBT has a long history of serving our country, with brothers currently serving in all ranks of the military,” Rubins said. “ZBT will work diligently to demonstrate that the alleged behavior of a few does not represent the values of the many.”

An investigation into the harassment complaints continues at UF.

Image via Shutterstock

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