Dozens of students and members of the community protested outside a frat house at Penn State University on Monday while an investigation continued into the group's use of a secret Facebook page where members allegedly shared photos of nude and partially clothed women without their consent, some of whom were unconscious.
The Penn State chapter of Kappa Delta Rho has been placed on suspension by the university; the national organization overseeing the chapter also suspended the group for the remainder of the year and will be conducting a membership review, according to a statement.
But more than 100 people demanded that the school take greater action against the fraternity following the accusations, including suspending the members involved in the Facebook group.
On Friday, students stood in the snow, holding signs that read "End Rape Culture" and "Support the Victims" outside a Penn State administration building. Just one day earlier, someone had vandalized the side of the Kappa Delta Rho house and spray painted the message "Tear It Down" on the front of the house.
At Penn State, where someone has spray-painted "Tear it down" on Kappa Delta Rho. pic.twitter.com/O8yb8m98jg— Danielle Paquette (@DPAQreport) March 19, 2015
"Upon the completion of that investigation, we will evaluate these further findings and make a decision regarding the Penn State chapter that is appropriate for all parties," a statement from the executive director of Kappa Delta Rho National Fraternity, Joseph S. Rosenberg, read.
According to police, the Facebook page operated by the fraternity had 144 active members, including students and alumni. The fraternity's members and leaders in State College have not made any public comments on the scandal.
Penn State is also aiding the investigation by police, who have said at least two of the photos uncovered could result in criminal charges.
Protest organizers planned to issue a letter to the administration spelling out their request for sanctions, which they read on Friday. The university's vice president for student affairs, Damon Simons, told trustees meeting in Hershey, Pennsylvania, that the allegations against the fraternity show the school needs to do more to address sexual assault and misconduct.
Simons led a task force that earlier this year proposed new ways to deal with sexual assaults on campus.
He said the "very human cost" of sexual misconduct "should compel all of us to do better than we have in response to this vexing issue."
Additional information from The Associated Press.