More than 100 Pennsylvania State University students and other supporters demonstrated Friday against a fraternity accused of posting photos of nude or partly nude women, some asleep or passed out, on an invitation-only Facebook page, urging the administration to take stronger action against those involved.
The protest took place during a snowstorm in front of the main administration building. About 100 miles away, a university official told trustees at a board meeting that the scandal provided fresh evidence that more needs to be done about sexual misconduct on campus.
Protest organizers asked the university to put Kappa Delta Rho members involved with the Facebook page on interim suspension. They also want the school to sever ties with the now-suspended fraternity chapter.
Student Peri Kahraman of Columbus, Ohio, said women cannot feel safe at fraternities and that she took part in the rally to help change that culture. "I'm here because this is a problem at Penn State, this is a problem in this country," she said.
The State College chapter of Kappa Delta Rho has been suspended for a year by its national organization while a review is underway. According to police, the Facebook page operated at the fraternity had 144 active members, including students and alumni.
Penn State President Eric Barron has said the university is working with the fraternity's national leadership to see if it will continue having a presence on campus. Police have said at least two of the photos could result in criminal charges.
IN-DEPTH
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