Greeks Lift Ban On Frat Parties At UC Berkeley In Wake Of Sex Assaults

BERKELEY (KPIX 5) -- At the University of California's Berkeley campus fraternities can party on, but with a few new rules.

After two sexual assaults at frat parties were reported last week, the Greek system voluntarily suspended parties.

Police say no arrests have been made.

Saturday, fraternities and sororities met for a summit at the Delta Delta Delta sorority house and decided to lift the ban.

The focus of their discussion turned to sexual assault and how to prevent crimes.

UC senior Brianna Bottle lives on Greek Row and says crime is common, both on and off campus.

"I'm so used to getting emails about new things coming up and new dangers and new crimes that I've gotten used to it … it's really scary," she said.

The group came up with new party guidelines to follow.

One of the first priorities is to secure the parties, so outsiders will no longer be allowed to attend.

"We've seen a lot of problems in the past in which people who are not members of the Greek community and not Berkeley students come into our parties and cause risk management situations," said Panhellinic President Divya Thomas.

They also plan to talk to every person who attends each party about what the word "consent" means.