University Of Florida Closes Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity Over Spitting On Wounded Vets Incident
The University of Florida closed the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity after members were accused of spitting on wounded veterans while on spring break. The frat boys also allegedly tossed bottles from a balcony and shouted drunken insults at the wounded vets participating in the Warrior Beach Retreat at a Panama City Beach resort.
The Zeta Beta Tau University of Florida fraternity chapter closure was announced on Tuesday. The fraternity was reportedly on probation for a hazing incident prior to the spitting on wounded vets allegations surfaced.
University of Florida officials suspended the Zeta Beta Tau chapter after being informed about the Warrior Beach Retreat incident.Three of the fraternity members were expelled over the spitting on wounded vets report. The Florida university also stated that it is charging the fraternity chapter with engaging in “obscene, behavior, public intoxication, theft, causing physical or other harm and damage to property.”
The Zeta Beta Tau chapter at the University of Florida reportedly has 128 active members. The group was founded in 1989 in New York City as a fraternity for Jewish students – at the time Jewish students were not welcomed at other Greek frats.
“That’s just so disrespectful and it hurts. I come and I feel honored and I feel safe and that I belong, but now I feel like I’m defending myself,” Afghanistan veteran Nicholas Connole said after he said University of Florida frat boys spit on him and his service dog.
The ZBT Fraternity International organization has agreed to the University of Florida chapter closure.
“We are absolutely disgusted by the accusations that have been made regarding the behavior of members of this chapter. ZBT has a long history of serving our country, with brothers currently serving in all ranks of the military,” ZBT Fraternity International President Matthew J. Rubins, said.
Fraternity expels 3 for allegedly spitting on wounded #veterans at Florida retreat http://t.co/kDKcT6ayIF #military pic.twitter.com/IFCZshyW2H
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) April 25, 2015
The Florida fraternity members were “extremely drunk” and urinated on flags, vomited off of their Panama City Beach hotel balconies, and spit on wounded vets staying at the Laketown Wharf Resort, according to Warrior Beach Retreat organizers.
UF ZBT Chapter to Close http://t.co/26Gvs3gXXC
— Univ of Florida (@UF) April 28, 2015
“I continue to be saddened and disappointed by the reported mistreatment and disrespect of our military veterans. 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,” University of Florida President Kent Fuchs said in a release about the Zeta Beta Tau spring break incident.
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