Fraternity activities will resume at the University of Virginia, but members will have to abide by new rules following a Rolling Stone story that detailed an alleged gang rape at a frat house back in 2012.
Several parts of that magazine piece, in which a woman identified as Jackie said she was gang-raped at a fraternity party, have since been discredited. Amid the allegations, in November, UVA President Teresa Sullivan suspended all campus fraternities.
Even though parts of the Rolling Stone piece have been found to be inaccurate, fraternities must still sign off on new rules by Jan. 16. Under the agreement, at least three fraternity members must stay “sober and lucid” at their events, and one must be stationed on the stairs leading to the bedrooms.
Additional regulations include hard liquor being prohibited at some events, beer must be served in its original, unopened can, and bottled water and food must be available.
Related: UVA official blasts Rolling Stone over rape article
“I believe the new safety measures recommended by the student leaders in the Greek community will help provide a safer environment for their members and guests,” said Sullivan in a statement.
She added that the new safety measures would be evaluated during the course of the semester.
There have been additional, ongoing efforts by the White House to address the issue of sexual assault on campuses this year. A White House task force announced proposals in April to put pressure on universities and colleges to strengthen their handling of sexual assaults. Officials also announced an “It’s On Us” campaign in September to encourage students to speak up and intervene in situations where students could be sexually assaulted.
Preventative measures are also being instituted at the state level. In September, California approved “yes means yes” legislation in which students at all state universities will be held to the same standard when it comes to sexual assault and consent.
