Way to embarrass all of UF.
Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority's actions at a semiformal date function two weeks ago at the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City prompted the restaurant to e-mail a complaint to UF President Bernie Machen.
"The group turned our 102-year-old, fine-dining restaurant into a frat house," wrote Caroline O'Connor, the restaurant's manager of sales and catering.
While we wait to hear how UF plans to discipline the group, we can't help but throw in our 2 cents.
Even though UF spokesman Steve Orlando said most of the damage was caused by the sorority members' dates, Zeta must be held responsible. It's a shame the women's dates couldn't refrain from starting fights and vomiting in the restaurant. It's a shame the men damaged parts of the men's restroom. It's unacceptable that they stole liquor from the bar.
But the women of Zeta chose who to invite to their function, and now they must accept the consequences.
It's a shame this is a reflection on the entire UF community. We hope these students didn't think they could get away with what they did because they are Greek. But it sure is nice of the national office of Zeta to pay for the damage, isn't it?
We know UF's sororities and fraternities do a lot to raise money for charities. We know they host philanthropies and volunteer in the community. We know sororities and fraternities try hard to shake the stereotypes that have plagued them since ancient times, when Partius Animalopolus drank too much wine at a toga party in Sparta.
But one bad grape spoils the bunch.
No one's going to remember how much money the sorority raised for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the sorority's national philanthropy.
But everyone will remember the time its women trashed a restaurant.
