Sorority slapped with suspension for paddling new pledges
By The Editor
The Spanking News©
University officials suspended the Zeta Phi Beta sorority April 08, 1999 on allegations that its members repeatedly struck 10 recruits with a wooden paddle and violated anti-hazing policies.
John Holloway, associate dean for Student Judicial Services, said the incoming members were spanked with a paddle and verbally abused on several occasions beginning Feb. 22.
"This had been happening systematically," he said. "It gives you an idea of why we responded in the way we did. This was not any random violence. I know that it had been happening since the week of Feb. 22 and had been ongoing for quite some time."
Holloway gave his informal decision Thursday, suspending Zeta Phi
Beta until all of the sorority's current members leave USF.
President Shekeria Brown was unavailable for comment and sorority
members did not return phone calls Thursday.
Holloway said the punishment sends a message of intolerance.
"This particular sanction sends a strong statement to the
chapter that members who participate in this activity or took part
indirectly - it is not OK," he said.
University officials were notified of the alleged paddling by one of the 10 recruits, who told Greek Life coordinator Joe Fisher last week that she was paddled and psychologically abused. The Office of Student Affairs also received an anonymous phone call last week about the matter.
"The person who received the suspension was the one who was
coordinating the activities but a number of individuals were involved
in the paddling," he said.
"John simply has not had the time to complete his disciplinary
adjudication."
Holloway said further individual suspensions are possible.
"If the university determines that there were others that
played a role in the actual application of any physical violence,
then they may in fact be suspended from school," he said.
Former Zeta Phi Beta members also took part in the spanking, Battson said.
Although the hazing took place at several off-campus apartments,
the ex-members are barred from entering the USF campus and are subject
to further sanctions by the sorority's national office.
