At least three fraternities at the University of Virginia say they won't get on board with new school guidelines, including boosting security at parties. The refusal comes in the wake of a controversial Rolling Stone article in November in which a female student alleged she was gang raped at a frat house — a story later discovered to have several discrepancies. UVA on Monday reinstated the fraternity at the center of the article — Phi Kappa Psi — after Charlottesville police were unable to corroborate the accuser's story.
Still, UVA officials are pushing for new rules for the school's 31 fraternities to address sexual assaults involving students — including that three sober frat brothers must be present during parties and there be a hall monitor to check bedrooms. Student organizations have until Friday to agree to such protocols.
But Kevin O’Neill, executive director of the Fraternity and Sorority Political Action Committee, said some of the fraternities think the mandates go too far because it creates "unique legal burdens" on the students. Those fraternities also think the school hasn't done enough to help vindicate Greek organizations, O'Neill said. "There's been a tremendous rush to judgment by the university in a case heard 'round the world," he told NBC News.
University spokesman Anthony de Bruyn said the guidelines were specifically developed by members of the student body. "We remain hopeful that all groups will commit to these reasonable protocols designed to improve student safety," he told NBC News in an email.
Meanwhile, two friends of the female student who claimed she was gang raped at a Phi Kappa Psi pledge party in 2012 told NBC News she still deserves support — whether or not she was actually raped. "If she fabricated an entire story about this, well then that is something else that she would need help with, too," said UVA student Ryan Duffin. "So either way I’m not going to stop caring about her as a person because of this.”
Charlottesville police said they are continuing to investigate the case. The attorney for the female student declined to comment on the latest turn of events.
IN-DEPTH
- UVA Reinstates Fraternity at Center of Rolling Stone Story
- New Rules for Frat Parties as Greek Life Resumes at University of Virginia
- UVA Board Chairman Calls Rolling Stone Article 'Drive-By' Journalism
