( CNN ) -- Nine men have been charged with hazing for their alleged part in an initiation rite into a University of Florida fraternity earlier this year . The defendants , between the ages of 21 and 26 , are accused of `` endangering the mental or physical health or safety '' of five pledges to the Alpha Phi Alpha chapter , according to documents filed this week in Florida 's 8th Judicial Circuit court . In that document , the nine are accused of `` striking ( the pledges ) with paddles and/or striking with hands and/or requiring the performance of calisthenics '' on January 22 . No other details have been released . In February , days after the case came to light , university President Bernie Machen announced in an e-mail to students that Alpha Phi Alpha was being temporarily suspended in light of what he called a `` serious physical hazing incident . '' Dave Kratzer , Florida 's vice president for student affairs , added at the time that no one was hospitalized after the incident but that the school felt compelled to act , regardless . `` It 's not in the realm of seriousness on the far end of things , when you think about what could have occurred with hazing , and we want to stop it now , '' Kratzer told CNN . The executive director of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. said at the time that a cease-and-desist order was issued against the local chapter and stressed that `` hazing is dangerous and illegal and must stop ! '' The historically black fraternity dates back to 1906 , when it was founded at Cornell University in Ithaca , New York . According to its website , Alpha Phi Alpha `` has a zero tolerance level in regards to hazing/pledging and strongly prohibits these illegal activities in any form . '' The alleged hazing incident happened off the school 's Gainesville campus , according to Machen 's e-mail to students , which was obtained by CNN . The charges in the University of Florida case were filed Monday , two days before charges were announced against 13 people tied to an investigation into the case of Florida A & M University drum major Robert Champion -- whose November 2011 death , authorities have said , was a result of hazing . FAMU hazing suspects turning themselves in . Eleven of those individuals face one count of third-degree felony hazing resulting in death , which is punishable by up to six years in prison , according to officials . By contrast , the hazing charges in the University of Florida case are all misdemeanors , said Spencer Mann , a spokesman for 8th Judicial Circuit State Attorney William Cervone 's office . If convicted , these men could be sentenced to one year in prison and be forced to pay as much as a $ 1,000 fine . The FAMU incident prompted Florida Gov . Rick Scott to order all state universities to examine their hazing and harassment policies in December . Scott also asked all university presidents to remind their students , faculty and staff `` how detrimental hazing can be . ''
NEW : The misdemeanor charges are punishable by up to one year in prison . Nine men , ages 21 to 26 , are charged with hazing , a court document shows . They are accused of `` striking '' Alpha Phi Alpha pledges with paddles and their hands . The University of Florida and national fraternity have acted against the chapter .