The University of Virginia has suspended all fraternities after allegations of rape were published by music magazine Rolling Stone.
University President Teresa A. Sullivan released a public letter announcing that the suspension of the school’s fraternal organizations will last until the beginning of the spring semester on January 9.
President Sullivan specifically mentioned the Rolling Stone article in her November 22 public statement.
“The wrongs described in Rolling Stone are appalling,” the President said, “and have caused all of us to reexamine our responsibility to this community. Rape is an abhorrent crime that has no place in the world, let alone on the campuses and grounds of our nation’s colleges and universities. We know, and have felt very powerfully this week, that we are better than we have been described, and that we have a responsibility to live our tradition of honor every day, and as importantly every night.
Phi Kappa Psi, the fraternity charged in the article, surrendered its agreement with the school and suspended its house on campus already, but the school has decided to suspend all fraternities.
Sullivan also announced that she has asked the Charlottesville Police Department to investigate the alleged rape incident highlighted by the magazine article.
The school’s chief is asking people who might know what happened to come forward. “There are individuals in our community who know what happened that night, and I am calling on them to come forward to the police to report the facts,” she said.
Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe is also pledging to launch a state-sponsored investigation.
Follow Warner Todd Huston on Twitter @warnerthuston or email the author at igcolonel@hotmail.com
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