The Virginia Alpha Chapter of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity has been reinstated at UVA after Charlottesville police indicated an investigation “has not revealed any substantive basis” to confirm allegations of a gang rape at the fraternity in 2012, according to a Monday announcement from University President Teresa Sullivan.
The fraternity voluntarily rescinded its Fraternal Order Agreement (FOA) with UVA in November after the publication of Rolling Stone magazine’s story on sexual assault at the University, which was centered around one student’s claim of a brutal gang rape by seven Phi Psi brothers. Reporting by other news outlets revealed numerous issues with the reporting of the story and discrepancies in the account of the central figure, a student referred to as “Jackie,” her real first name.
The Charlottesville Police Department began investigating the rape claim shortly after the story was published, at the request of the University. Police spokesman Captain Gary Pleasants said the department’s investigation is ongoing.
“The statement says that there is no substantive basis to confirm the allegations raised occurred at Phi Kappa Psi,” Pleasants said in response to a request for further information about the investigation. “It does not state that we said they did not occur at all. We are still investigating and will make a statement once we have completed that investigation.”
Last week, UVA announced new addenda to the FOAs that all fraternities are required to sign in order to access various University resources. According to Monday’s press release, Phi Kappa Psi was the first fraternity to sign its new FOA, which mandates safety plans and reforms like sober party monitors and strictly enforced party guest lists. Members of the fraternity were among those who participated in the creation of the new rules agreement.
“We believe that in the midst of this ordeal, there is an opportunity to move forward with important safety improvements,” UVA Phi Kappa Psi President Stephen Scipione said in the University’s release. “This has prompted us to take a closer look at ourselves and what role organizations like ours may play in this problem. It’s opened all of our eyes to the problem of sexual assault. Now it’s time to do something about it. As a fraternity, we are going to continue discussing that need in the coming weeks.”
“We welcome Phi Kappa Psi, and we look forward to working with all fraternities and sororities in enhancing and promoting a safe environment for all,” Sullivan said in the release.