Sorority leaders baffled at U-Va. response to frat party ban

Story here. Excerpt:

'National sorority leaders said Friday they have been very surprised by the reaction to a letter sent to University of Virginia chapters warning them to avoid fraternity parties on campus Saturday night.

The letter from 16 national sorority presidents — members of the National Panhellenic Conference — sparked an outcry on campus from students who said it was sexist and didactic to order women to stay home for their own safety.

“I believe people are missing the point here,” said Jean Mrasek, chairman of the NPC. The national leaders were merely enforcing an existing rule, she said. “We are upholding our policy and yet we’re being criticized for doing so. That’s the irony of this.”

After a now-discredited Rolling Stone article about a gang rape on campus, fraternities and sororities were suspended and the NPC began talking with university officials, Mrasek said. That’s when they learned that Boys’ Bid Night, when fraternities celebrate their new members, is a high-risk night and that sorority sisters traditionally went to those parties, she said.

University officials and students have said the night — which this year coincides with the undefeated men’s basketball team’s biggest home game on Saturday — is one known for excessive drinking.

“I’ve been very surprised,” said Julie Johnson, Panhellenics chairman for NPC. “This is one night – one night – of historically risky activity.

“The response has been about all this – infringement on their rights, infringement to do what they want, how we’re setting women back. I think we’re providing a safer environment for women, the opportunity for them to be together in sisterhood.”'