Trouble on Campus: Issues at Valdosta St., Western Carolina & Florida

VALDOSTA, Ga. (AP) – Uproar over a protest in which demonstrators walked on an American flag has prompted a south Georgia university to cancel classes ahead of a rally expected to draw crowds of flag supporters to Valdosta.

Valdosta State University posted a message on its website saying Friday classes were canceled "in the interest of the safety of our students, faculty, and staff." A large rally in support of the American flag is planned outside the campus Friday afternoon.

WALB-TV reports the outcry began a week ago after student demonstrators walked on an American flag to protest racism. An Air Force veteran, Michelle Manhart, took the flag from protesters. She was later banned from campus.

Safety concerns at Valdosta State grew after police said they found a gun inside a protester’s backpack.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) – University of Florida President Kent Fuchs promises a full investigation after getting reports that members of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity spat at a group of disabled military veterans and stole their flags at a Panama City Beach resort.

In an email to Warrior Beach Retreat at Laketown Wharf Resort, Fuchs says the school is making every effort to learn what happened and take appropriate action.

Fraternity members from Emory University were also at the resort. School officials say there’s no evidence to implicate their students in the incident.

The Gainesville Sun reports the fraternity is on conduct probation for a hazing incident. The fraternity has suspended operations and is cooperating with the investigation.

University spokeswoman Janine Sikes say the fraternity faces increased consequences if they violated probation requirements.

CULLOWHEE, N.C. (AP) – Western Carolina University officials have suspended a fraternity for five years after a pledge said he was "water-boarded."

Multiple media outlets reported that members of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity are accused of holding a pledge down and making him recite a fraternity document while they poured water in his mouth.

A campus police report said the incident happened on an off-campus apartment in February.

The school said it has taken disciplinary action because of the allegations, but would not elaborate because of privacy laws.

Pi Kappa Alpha’s office in Memphis, Tennessee, said it had been notified that members of its Western Carolina chapter may have participated in activities that are inconsistent with its standards.

Western Carolina spokesman Bill Studenc said the fraternity had been suspended once before.