University of Central Florida fraternity sanctioned following hazing allegations involving Nazi swastika

Steven Walker, Orlando Sentinel on Feb 7, 2025

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ORLANDO, Fla. — The University of Central Florida has temporarily suspended the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity after viewing a photo of a blindfolded pledge holding a Nazi swastika.

The university learned about the image in the fall 2024 semester and determined it depicted an off-campus hazing incident from 2023, according to Courtney Gilmartin, a UCF spokeswoman.

“UCF unequivocally condemns hazing and acts of antisemitism,” Gilmartin wrote in an email. “While we have come to understand that the students in the photo were blindfolded and unaware of the hateful symbols at the time, this does not diminish the seriousness of this incident or the harm caused.”

UCF put the fraternity under an interim suspension as it continues to investigate, which means Phi Gamma Delta is now prohibited from participating in all activities, including recruitment, socials and meetings, she said. It could face additional sanctions later.

The university started investigating in the fall but it took time to determine which individuals and organizations were involved, she said. UCF imposed the interim suspension on Dec. 2, 2024.

Jordan Denitto, UCF’s Phi Gamma Delta chapter president, said in an interview with student-newspaper Knight News this week that he and the chapter do not condone the incident.

“The current chapter members were not aware of this occurrence, and the members responsible are no longer at the University,” Denitto said. “We continue to cooperate with the University in its investigation.”

The national Phi Gamma Delta organization did not respond to requests for comment. The UCF Phi Gamma Delta chapter’s social media pages no longer appear active as of Friday.

The photo of the hazing incident was mailed anonymously to the Orlando Sentinel in the fall.

A records request placed by the Sentinel in October 2024 for any UCF documents related to its investigation into Phi Gamma Delta had not been fulfilled as of Friday.

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