UVA resists pressure to lift Greek suspension

The University of Virginia (UVA) refused to lift a suspension on Greek activities this week, despite intense pressure and questions behind the reason for the temporary ban. University officials brought Greek life on campus to a standstill a few weeks ago in response to a disturbing Rolling Stone article detailing an alleged gang rape at a UVA fraternity house.

While criticism swirled around the Charlottesville, Va., university initially, Rolling Stone and the reporter who wrote the story now face questions about the credibility of the article and its primary source.

Both the article and the ensuing revelations about questionable reporting practices in the story prompted an “intense, ongoing period of introspection,” the university said in a news release. It led to the creation of a group of faculty and students that will review university policies and structures to “support the ultimate goal of providing an outstanding education while ensuring the safety and well-being of students,” the statement said.

The group will examine numerous aspects of UVA culture, including Greek life, alcohol and substance abuse trends, bystander training, survivor support, campus lighting and security cameras, police response, and incident prevention. Its recommendations will be implemented by a separate administrative task force.

“I remain committed to a fearless examination of our culture and practices,” university President Teresa A. Sullivan said in a statement. “This review needs to be thorough, systematic, and intelligent. … Our most important work is ahead of us.”

In the face of calls this week from national Greek organizations to lift the suspension immediately, Sullivan insisted the broader issue of sexual assault goes beyond the Rolling Stone article. Sullivan said she is sympathetic to concerns that Greek organizations have been unfairly maligned but insisted the university is committed to the suspension in an effort to “pause to identify solutions that would best ensure the well-being and safety of students.”

Other campus groups support the suspension and the ensuing review process. Brian Head, president of the UVA chapter of the rape prevention organization One in Four, said the article “shocked our university into taking a hard look at ourselves and recognizing our shortcomings. We looked at the article first, then ourselves, and we were angry with both.”

In a departure from some of the national Greek organizations calling for immediate reinstatement, the 32 UVA fraternities and sororities support the suspension.

“The temporary suspension has provided the fraternity community with time to step back and think critically about its role in the elimination of rape at UVA, and allowed us to sort of review our priorities as students first and fraternity members second,” Tommy Reid, president of the UVA Inter-Fraternity Council, said in an interview with The New York Times. “It’s allowed us to take a breath.”

The current suspension is slated to end on Jan. 9. Greek activities will resume in conjunction with a new campus agreement to enhance the safety of members and their guests.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.