UCF reinstates Greek life, 3 fraternities still suspended

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Greek life is back in full swing for thousands of students at the University of Central Florida.

Channel 9 reported in February, the school halted social life for fraternities and sororities over hazing and alcohol abuse concerns.

Now, school officials say there are plans in place to prevent that behavior.

Three fraternities are still suspended, but more than 40 received a letter stating they can go back to normal.

Students on the UCF campus said they're glad to have nearly all of the school's recently halted Greek life back.

"It's part of college, it's part of the culture and part of who we are," student Brianne Keil said.

"You know what? Good for them. Happy they can start doing their thing again," student Jillian Dumont said.

Members of the Greek community took to Twitter.

One student thanked the school; another wrote "Can't stop smiling" and "It's good to be Greek."

UCF leaders said they made the decision after presentations by chapter leaders showed they'd take steps to prevent hazing and underage drinking.

Those concerns prompted the school to halt the entire Greek life system in February for the first time ever.

It came after this Facebook photo surfaced of three Sigma Chi pledges: One being fed a drink while the other two are slumped over a trash can.

Less than two weeks ago, the school made the move to suspend Sigma Chi until 2016.

The school also suspended Alpha Epsilon Pi until the summer of 2014 for hazing

Lambda Chi Alpha was also banned for similar problems, but some don't think the punishments will change anything.

"I don't think it's really going to stop anything, because I feel like it's just part of what Greek life is," student Taylor Bright said.

Even though the organizations are allowed to have social events, they still have to be approved by the school, and the national organization.

WFTV