UNF’s suspension of the Omega Zeta chapter of Chi Phi took effect March 16, 2026, and runs through May 3, 2031. During that period, the fraternity may not operate, recruit, hold events or present itself as affiliated with UNF, according to UNF Spinnaker’s account of university records.
A return to campus would require Chi Phi and its national headquarters to submit a reentry plan for university approval. The plan must address risk management, hazing prevention, substance use, recruitment and continued oversight, the records reported by Spinnaker say.
Conduct panel findings
The panel’s disciplinary decision found the chapter responsible for endangerment, two hazing violations, lewd or disruptive conduct, failure to comply with the university conduct process and violations of university rules, including its alcohol and other drugs policy. Chi Phi admitted responsibility for the endangerment and hazing charges, according to Spinnaker’s report.
Before the suspension, UNF had ordered the chapter on Dec. 18, 2025, to stop operating and holding chapter activities during the investigation; members could still attend classes. In reviewing compliance with that order, the panel cited an active member’s attendance at a Jan. 21 Wine Wednesday event and the chapter’s failure to report it, as well as possible recruiting during the order, Spinnaker reported.
Evidence and separate criminal review
UNF’s investigation began after an anonymous complaint received Dec. 10, 2025, alleged hazing during the fall semester. University records described images that appeared to show shirtless students being sprayed with a hose, a blindfolded person holding drug paraphernalia and three people partly undressed. UNF said the images could depict possible new members posing nude, using drugs and holding presumed fraternity ritual objects, according to News4JAX. Spinnaker, which reported on the university records, said the images did not establish when the events occurred.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office reviewed the images and interviewed a person connected to their distribution. Its report concluded the depicted conduct did not meet Florida’s criminal-hazing threshold, and the State Attorney’s Office agreed; the case was classified as noncriminal. That review was separate from UNF’s student-conduct process, News4JAX reported.
Hazing prevalence
A University of Maine account of a 2008 survey found that 55% of college students who participate in groups experience hazing, and more than 95% of those students do not report it, according to University of Maine News.
