Report of Campus Rapes Prompts Backlash at University of Virginia

A chilling story about a gang rape at a University of Virginia fraternity house has prompted a backlash from students and faculty—the early signs of a response from the university.

UVA President Teresa Sullivan suspended fraternity and sorority activities on Saturday until Jan. 9. Top university leaders will meet Tuesday to discuss policies and procedures to handle sexual assault at UVA. Phi Kappa Psi, the fraternity where the rape depicted in the Rolling Stone article allegedly took place, is under local police investigation. And the fraternity’s national organization will launch its own investigation, the Washington Post reports.

UVA’s response comes after a backlash from faculty and public officials in Virginia. Virginia Sen. Mark Warner and Gov. Terry McAuliffe have both spoken on the matter. And a letter from 127 faculty members, published by Slate, called for a freeze on all Greek-life activity.

“We are all heartbroken and enraged after reading Wednesday’s article in Rolling Stone,” the letter said. “The extreme violence that was reported is shocking and demands an unequivocal response that we will not tolerate violence against our students.”

MORE: The sexual assault crisis on American campuses