The interim suspension of the Zeta Beta Tau (ZBT) fraternity chapter at the University of Florida is officially an expulsion.
The fraternity was reprimanded last week amid allegations that a handful of its members spit on an insulted wounded veterans. The University of Florida took it a step further and permanently cut ties with the fraternity on Wednesday with an official statement on the school's website.
The expulsion is effective immediately.
"I continue to be saddened and disappointed by the reported mistreatment and disrespect of our military veterans," UF President Kent Fuchs said in the press release. "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."
UF just announced that its chapter of Zeta Beta Tau will close, effective immediately, following events that occurred at Panama City Beach.
— The Alligator (@TheAlligator) April 28, 2015
ZBT Fraternity International President Matthew J. Rubins is equally upset and said the actions of a handful of brothers does not "represent the values of many."
"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."
The ZBT members, while at a resort in Panama City Beach for their spring formal, are accused of spitting on and insulting wounded American military veterans that were also at Laketown Wharf Resort. The veterans were at the Warrior Beach Retreat.
Syracuse.com reports that the fraternity members also threw beer bottles at the veterans, ripped American flags from their cars, spit on service dogs and urinated on American flags.
Students from the ZBT chapter at Emory University were also at the resort. The chapter at the University of Florida was already on probation before the spring formal.
Both the University of Florida and ZBT are still separately investigating the alleged incidents, but as a public university, information regarding students disciplined cannot be disclosed yet.
