Police report insufficient evidence to proceed with their investigation into UVA student's allegations of gang rape.

Rolling Stone Magazine has previously apologized for its inaccurate article.  Remarkably, the magazine agreed to the accuser's request not to contact the accused.
http://chronicle.com/article/Police-Find-No-Evidence-to/228717/?cid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en

Meanwhile in Chicago a former administrator is claiming she was fired for refusing to accuse a faculty member of sexual harassment.


http://chronicle.com/blogs/ticker/fired-administrator-says-she-was-pressured-to-file-false-charge-of-sexual-harassment/95925?cid=pm&utm_source=pm&utm_medium=en

These stories suggest that opportunists --- be they magazines and other media or unscrupulous students and administrators --- are ready, willing and able to turn the current crusade against sexual assault to their own advantage.

How well equipped are we in higher education to deal with this?

At UVA the police chief advised early involvement of the police in cases of alleged assault.  Meanwhile, the university's president explains that federal law tied the institution's hands.

MARCH 23, 2015

University of Virginia President Teresa A. Sullivan today issued the following statement regarding the results of the Charlottesville Police Department investigation of the allegations described in a November 2014 Rolling Stone article:

“On behalf of the University of Virginia, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Chief Timothy Longo and the Charlottesville Police Department for their thorough investigation into the allegations described in the November 2014 article in Rolling Stone magazine. I would also like to thank the individuals who cooperated with the police investigation. The investigation confirms what federal privacy law prohibited the University from sharing last fall: that the University provided support and care to a student in need, including assistance in reporting potential criminal conduct to law enforcement. Chief Longo’s report underscores what I have known since well before the publication of the Rolling Stone article: that we at the University are committed to ensuring the health and safety of all of our students.

“We cannot fulfill our mission as an institution of higher learning without providing for the welfare of our students and our community. There is important work ahead as the University continues to implement substantive reforms to improve its culture, prevent violence and respond to incidents of violence when they occur. We will continue our collaborative partnership with the Charlottesville Police Department, united by our shared commitment to fostering a culture of respect while ensuring the safety and well-being of all members of our community.”