A chapter of the national fraternity Omega Psi Phi at the University of South Florida has been suspended while Tampa police investigate an off-campus hazing incident.
Two Tampa police officers were called to the university's police department Friday to investigate a hazing complaint involving the fraternity, said Laura McElroy, a Tampa police spokeswoman.
The suspects aren't current USF students, McElroy said.
The victims were taken to a vacant business at 2112 W. Busch Blvd. at 11:30 p.m. Aug. 22 and 23. McElroy said she didn't know whether they were taken inside or the incident occurred outside the business.
Detectives have interviewed potential victims, witnesses and suspects over the weekend but expect the investigation to last several days, McElroy said.
USF President Judy Genshaft e-mailed students, faculty and staff this afternoon, saying "Hazing is illegal. ... It is against university policy, and it is totally unacceptable at USF. It is why all American universities and student organizations condemn hazing."
Genshaft said that as soon as the university became aware of the hazing allegations, it took "the severest possible action. The chapter was suspended and the national fraternity was notified to begin its investigation."
Genshaft lauded its student organizations, but said that this fraternity "held a secret off-campus meeting and violated the standards and policies of not only our university, but the rights of our students."
She referred students who wish to talk about this or any other incident to Kevin Banks, dean of students, at (813) 974-6677.
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