Additionally, Jewish students say they feel isolated and afraid on campus.
Courtesy of USF
By Aubrey Carr
Last week, allegations of antisemitic hazing rituals performed by a University of South Florida fraternity began spreading online, igniting public outrage and resulting in the interim suspension of the chapter.
In a letter of suspension issued to the USF chapter of Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ), obtained by The Crow’s Nest, Melissa Graham, the director of Student Conduct and Ethical Development (SCED), detailed allegations of what happened at a Feb. 11 off-campus Bid Party.
During this event, fraternity pledges, also called associate members, were reportedly instructed to wear white T-shirts, and guests of the Bid Party were told to write on the shirts, according to the letter.
Allegedly, some associate members had inappropriate objects drawn onto their clothing –– including at least one instance of a swastika drawn onto a pledge, according to Pi Kappa Phi’s letter of suspension.
Additionally, the Tampa Bay Times reported that since-deleted posts emerged on the Greek-life focused social media site, GreekRant.com, with statements like “Hitler did nothing lol” and “rush Pi Kappa Phi if you’re antisemitic too.” The posts were reportedly written by a person claiming to be from the fraternity.
USF’s SCED department initiated an investigation in response to the claims, resulting in the interim suspension of Pi Kappa Phi due to two violations of the USF Student Code of Conduct. The violations include the hosting of a gathering in which underage alcohol consumption occurred and hazing.
In the fraternity’s letter of suspension, it was stated that, “the continual operations of the organization at USF likely pose an ongoing threat, disruption or interference to the health and safety and continued functions of the USF community.”
Pi Kappa Phi’s interim suspension is planned to be reviewed at an Informational Meeting between the fraternity’s president and a Hearing Officer on March 1.
In the meeting, the fraternity’s rights, allegations and possible charges will be discussed before the officer reviews the information and determines the next course of action –– maintaining, modifying or lifting the suspension.
In a statement posted to Instagram on Thursday afternoon, Pi Kappa Phi refuted allegations that the antisemitic imagery was drawn by a member, stating that the “reprehensible antisemitic action” was committed by a non-member party guest.
Additionally, the fraternity stated that the posts made to greeklife.com were not penned by a member of the chapter.
Pi Kappa Phi also stated that it would continue to cooperate with the university as an investigation persisted.
On Feb. 22, Tampa Dean of Students Danielle McDonald sent out a statement to the USF community detailing and condemning the alleged antisemitic imagery.
McDonald’s statement also addressed another ––now debunked –– incident involving an anonymous sorority member being accused of racist behavior through social media.
“Actions such as these are reprehensible and deserve our condemnation,” McDonald said. “[SCED] is investigating and will act in accordance with the due process standards outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.”
McDonald further insisted that the allegations do not align with the university’s ideals.
“USF embraces and celebrates diversity in all its forms. Anti-Semitism, racism, hate and prejudice have no place here. We remain strong and united in our commitment to the Principles of Community in our pursuit of excellence,” she said.
USF Hillel: Morris & Bertha Escoll Center for Jewish Campus Life also posted a statement to social media condemning the alleged event.
“Mockery of the Holocaust, the use of hate symbols and the trivialization of genocide is unacceptable. This behavior not only harms the Jewish community on campus, but also undermines the foundational values of the University,” USF Hillel wrote.
According to some students, this is not the first instance of antisemitism experienced at USF.
“I have felt victimized as a Jewish student,” Brooke Pavek, a sophomore majoring in history at USF Tampa, said.
“One kid claimed he could do a Jewish accent and proceeded to hunch his back and talk about ‘wanting shekels.’ I have seen antisemitic flyers across campus. Some flyers [said] ‘Jews control the world,’ while others [claimed] we harm children and are responsible for COVID-19 and debt,” Pavek said.
“Being a Jew on campus means being uncomfortable.”
Speaking on the alleged behavior of Pi Kappa Phi, Pavek shared not only sadness, but anger toward the university’s handling of events.
“I cried to my parents about what happened and they told me to stop wearing my Star of David. This event has made my parents fearful of my existence as a Jew. For me, it has made me upset but, USF’s apathy? It makes me angry,” Pavek said.
“[USF] sent out an email with no feeling. There was no speak of action. There was no feeling for Jewish students. It was like who cares about us…we are struggling, but that email screamed ‘oh yeah this happened, and we don’t really care, but Hillel is forcing us to send this.’ It felt depersonalized. USF can send their meaningless emails, but when will they take action?”
“Many are too scared to come to Hillel already and hide their Star of David under their shirt… and this incident is only going to hide Jewish students more than ever. No one cares. USF can wish us a Happy Hannukah, but they don’t value our tears the same way they value the tears of literally any other group. So, I am angry,” she said.
With no Greek Life or Jewish center on campus, the situation looked slightly different for USF St. Petersburg students.
“I have not felt victimized as much as I have felt isolated as a Jewish student on campus,” Isabel Fuentes, a freshman majoring in graphic arts at USF St. Petersburg, said.
“I have yet to meet any other Jewish students here and there are no resources for me to utilize to find them. There is a chapter of the Hillel organization on the Tampa campus, but I have never been contacted by them, even though I have identified myself as Jewish with the university multiple times,” Fuentes said.
Like Pavek, Fuentes also shared frustration towards USF’s mismanagement of the situation.
“I have yet to receive a message from the organization or school providing information on the events that took place or offering support in any way. I should not have had to find out about this horrible act of antisemitism through social media,” she said.
“Reaching out to the Jewish student body directly might help them feel more supported in a time when it can feel scary to be openly Jewish. Unfortunately, events like this are happening at a more frequent rate on college campuses all over the country,” Fuentes said.
For anyone impacted by the alleged acts of antisemitism, USF Hillel advises students to contact Executive Director Rabbi Ed Rosenthal or Program Director Sylvie Feinsmith through usfhillel.org.
