UVA announces new rules for fraternity parties

University of Virginia President Teresa Sullivan announced Wednesday that Greek life at the University of Virginia would be reinstated immediately for fraternities and sororities that agree to new rules designed to enhance safety.

Fraternity life was suspended in late November after the publication of a Rolling Stone article that depicted the brutal gang rape of an 18-year old freshman at a Phi Kappa Psi fraternity party in 2012. The magazine was ultimately forced to apologize for the article after many of the article's claims were discredited.

The new rules require that a minimum of three fraternity brothers remain "sober and lucid" at each fraternity function to serve as clearly identifiable monitors, with the addition of another sober monitor for every 30 members of the chapter. At least three of the monitors must be at least second-year brothers, and they are required to to be standing in place where drinks are being served, as well as at the stairs leading to residential rooms. The fraternity member monitoring the stairs is required to have immediate key access to each room during the party.

Pre-mixed drinks, punches or any other common source of alcohol are now banned from events. Fraternities are allowed to serve beer in unopened cans or wine upon request when poured by a sober brother at the bar. Hard liquor may only be served at large parties if the fraternity hires a licensed, third-party bartender. Bottled water must be "readily available" at each place where alcohol is being served and food at a minimum of one location.

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The fraternities must also provide a printed guest list to a "security agent" from a vendor approved by the Inter-Fraternity Council (IFC) that must "exclusively dictate approved guests for the function."

The new rules do not explicitly state that the security agent must check to ensure that attendees at fraternity events at least 21 years of age, but the agreement that each of the fraternities must sign states, "its activities and the activities of its members, whether or not sponsored or officially approved by the Fraternal Organization, do not and will not violate local, state or federal law or the University's Standards of Conduct."

"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," Sullivan said in a statement.

IFC President Tommy Reid said in a separate statement that that a wide group ranging from fraternity members to chapter presidents, the IFC's government board, student groups and alumni have worked "around the clock" for the past month to develop the new rules.

"The IFC is excited for the spring semester and looks forward to continuing to lead the advancement of student safety at the University," Reid said.