CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Jan. 12 (UPI) -- A University of Virginia fraternity suspended after a Rolling Stone article detailed an alleged gang rape was reinstated Monday.
President Teresa Sullivan said police in Charlottesville had investigated the allegations that a student, identified only as Jackie by Rolling Stone, was sexually assaulted during a party at Phi Kappa Psi in 2012. She said the story could not be substantiated.
"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 a statement.
Rolling Stone has already apologized for the story. Soon after its publication, the Washington Post investigated inconsistencies in the story and critics pointed out that the author of the piece had apparently made few or no attempts to interview the alleged rapists.
The fraternity's president, Stephen Scipione, said Phi Kappa Psi is "pleased" by the university's action.
"In today's 24-hour news cycle, we all have a tendency to rush to judgment without having all of the facts in front of us. As a result, our fraternity was vandalized, our members ostracized based on false information," he said.
Phi Kappa Psi was the first to sign a new Fraternal Organization Agreement with the university. The agreement, part of an effort to improve student safety, is aimed at reducing binge drinking and includes a requirement that some members of the fraternity refrain from drinking at parties, that fraternities keep guest lists and that some types of alcohol cannot be served.
