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Alongside photo documentation, screenshots of text messages were reported regarding the UNF Chi Phi chapter\u2019s hazing allegations, according to the investigative report.<\/p>\nThe University of North Florida suspended the Omega Zeta chapter of the Chi Phi Fraternity for five years following repeated violations of a university cease-and-desist order during an investigation into hazing and endangerment, according to university documents obtained by Spinnaker.<\/p>\n
The suspension began March 16, 2026, and runs through May 3, 2031, according to a decision letter from the Dean of Students Office.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Evidence gathered by university conduct officers included redacted photo documentation of \u201cshirtless males being sprayed with a water hose\u201d, student disclosures, and multiple reports detailing repeated non-compliance with university orders.<\/p>\n
In response to the investigation, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life stated that student safety is the university\u2019s top priority and that all Greek life members, athletes, and club leaders must complete hazing prevention education to identify and report violations.<\/p>\n
Hazing and endangerment allegations<\/p>\n
The investigation began on Dec. 10, 2025, after an anonymous Interfraternity Council member reported hazing concerns regarding the Omega Zeta chapter of the Chi Phi Fraternity.\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to the Student Conduct Referral Report, the initial evidence included photos showing \u201cpossible new members posing nude, being sprayed with a hose, using drugs, and holding presumed ritual items\u201d during the Fall 2025 semester.<\/p>\n
The referral report also included screenshots of texts regarding the Omega Zeta chapter.<\/p>\n
Alongside photo documentation, screenshots of text messages were reported regarding the UNF Chi Phi chapter\u2019s hazing allegations, according to the investigative report.<\/p>\n
Because hazing allegations can involve criminal misconduct under Florida Statute 1006.63<\/a>, university protocol requires administrators to defer initial investigations to the Jacksonville Sheriff\u2019s Office.\u00a0<\/p>\n This ensures law enforcement evaluates any potential felony or misdemeanor activity before the university proceeds with its internal Student Code of Conduct process.<\/p>\n Despite the university\u2019s student conduct charges, the Jacksonville Sheriff\u2019s Office chose not to press criminal charges in December 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n JSO wrote in the incident report that Florida state law requires \u201cpermanent injury, serious bodily injury, or death or the substantial risk of physical injury or death\u201d for criminal hazing.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cNone of the actions included in the listed photographs reach the level of criminal hazing,\u201d a JSO officer stated in the report.<\/p>\n Under Florida Statute 1006.63<\/a>, hazing that creates a substantial risk of physical injury or death is a first-degree misdemeanor, while hazing resulting in serious bodily injury or death is a third-degree felony. Because JSO determined the photo evidence did not meet the state\u2019s legal threshold for substantial risk or physical harm, police declined to pursue charges.\u00a0<\/p>\n UNF\u2019s Anti-Hazing Regulation<\/a>, however, allows administrators to penalize groups for actions that cause \u201cextreme embarrassment\u201d or \u201cemotional stress\u201d even if no physical harm occurs.<\/p>\n Following a Feb. 19 Student Conduct Panel Hearing, the Omega Zeta chapter was found responsible for multiple Student Code of Conduct<\/a> violations, including hazing, endangerment, emotional stress, disruptive behavior, and failure to follow direction.<\/p>\n According to the official decision letter, the panel stated that \u201cthe respondent admitted responsibility to the charge, and based on the evidence, there were actions of hazing that caused physical or emotional distress to the attendees present at the event\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n The investigative report identified a photo from a chapter event, showing \u201cthree students in some form of undress being photographed\u201d. The panel determined that the evidence and image demonstrated that the \u201corganization engaged in actions of lewd or disruptive behavior\u201d.<\/p>\n The investigative report does not include the photographic evidence, as university officials redacted the images to comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n This federal law protects the privacy of student education and disciplinary records and legally prohibits the release of unredacted photos that could identify the students involved in the conduct hearing.<\/p>\n In response to this investigation, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life stated hazing remains a criminal offense in Florida with \u201cno place in campus life,\u201d adding that it takes \u201cstrong and swift action against any instances of hazing and will refer to local or state authorities for criminal prosecution when appropriate.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n UNF\u2019s official Anti-Hazing policy<\/a> applies to group or individual actions conducted on or off campus.<\/p>\n Violating the cease-and-desist<\/p>\n After the initial allegations, the university issued a cease-and-desist order on Dec. 18, 2025, prohibiting the fraternity from holding chapter meetings, social gatherings, or recruitment. However, the investigative report shows that the chapter repeatedly violated this order.<\/p>\n On Jan. 17, 2026, University Police and Housing and Residence Life staff responded to an off-campus incident involving underage students, according to the investigative report. The students told police they had attended a \u201cChi Phi-hosted event\u201d and \u201cadmitted to underage alcohol consumption\u201d.<\/p>\n Days later, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life received text messages and a flyer indicating the suspended chapter was hosting an unauthorized \u201cWine Wednesday\u201d event on Jan. 21 at a \u201cknown fraternity residence\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n The flyer promoted a \u201c2016 THEME\u201d at \u201cThe White House\u201d with \u201cCurated Wine Selections\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n A student text message provided to the university also claimed the fraternity had \u201clike 7 pnms [potential new members] there trying to \u2018underground rush’\u201d and were \u201cwaiting to bid whenever they off whatever probation they may be on\u201d, according to the investigative report.<\/p>\n Addressing the allegations of illicit rushing, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life stated that the Interfraternity Council is committed to upholding university and national guidelines to foster an accountable community.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThis commitment includes proactively identifying and reporting potential violations, including unauthorized or \u2018underground\u2019 recruitment practices,\u201d the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life spokesperson stated.<\/p>\n Extended suspension and reentry requirements<\/p>\n The Student Conduct Panel stated in the report that while organizational suspensions traditionally last four years to cycle through a full membership class, they extended Chi Phi\u2019s suspension to five years.<\/p>\n \u201cExtending the suspension beyond a traditional membership cycle reduces the likelihood that individuals connected to the organization during the time of these violations will immediately reestablish the same culture or practices upon return,\u201d the panel wrote.<\/p>\n Following the Student Conduct Panel Hearing, both the university and the fraternity had the right to request an appeal within five class days of receiving the decision letter, according to the Dean of Students Office website<\/a>. However, the report says the Omega Zeta chapter did not submit an appeal before the deadline.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Because no appeal was pursued, Chi Phi National Headquarters Executive Director Michael Azarian confirmed in the university documents that the chapter \u201cis considered inactive and no longer recognized by Chi Phi\u201d.<\/p>\n If the fraternity wants to return to campus after the 2031 suspension expires, it must submit a \u201cReentry Action Plan\u201d developed with National Headquarters, according to the decision letter.\u00a0<\/p>\n The plan must include a \u201ccomprehensive local risk management strategy,\u201d leadership training on hazing prevention and substance use, and \u201ca structure for ongoing organizational accountability and oversight\u201d.<\/p>\n Any students found to be operating under a \u201cChi Phi-style organizational structure\u201d without university recognition during the suspension could face further individual Student Conduct referrals, according to the decision letter.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Image-10-19-26-at-9.05-AM.jpg\")
Alongside photo documentation, screenshots of text messages were reported regarding the UNF Chi Phi chapter\u2019s hazing allegations, according to the investigative report.<\/p>\n