RICHMOND, Va. — The Phi Kappa Psi fraternity at the University of Virginia voluntarily surrendered its Fraternal Organization Agreement with the University Thursday and suspended all chapter activities as an investigation into rape allegations unfolds. This action comes one day after a Rolling Stone article detailed one student’s struggle on campus following her reported rape at the fraternity house in 2012.
“Although at this time we have no specific knowledge of the claims set out in the Rolling Stone article, we take this matter — and these tragic allegations — very seriously,” a statement signed by Phi Kappa Psi, Virginia Alpha Chapter, and published on TheCavalierDaily.com read. “This is a serious matter for the criminal justice system and the university investigative process and we will cooperate quickly, openly and honestly in any forthcoming investigation that may be conducted.”
The fraternity statement came hours after Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe expressed his concerns with leaders at the University of Virginia.
“I was deeply disturbed to read about the sexual assault allegations outlined in Rolling Stone magazine,” Governor McAuliffe said in a statement released Thursday. “Sexual violence is a nationwide problem, and it is critical that our schools acknowledge that this is a pervasive issue and take bold action to end it.”
The governor said he and university leadership agreed a “full and fair investigation” must take place.
“I have called for a zero tolerance strategy to combat campus sexual assault. I have asked university officials to conduct a full review of all of their policies and procedures and if decided, to bring in outside experts to assist in this effort,” he said.
“Make no mistake,” the fraternity’s statement continued.”The acts depicted in the article are beyond unacceptable — they are vile and intolerable in our brotherhood, our university community and our society. We remain ready and willing to assist with the fair and swift pursuit of justice, wherever that may lead, and steadfast in our resolve to ensure that nothing like this can happen, ever on our Grounds.”
Ahead on CBS 6 News at 5. Joe St. George spoke to a former University of Virginia student who said the Rolling Stone piece helped encourage her to speak out — on television — about her attack on campus.
This is a developing story.
