Police investigate rape allegation at U.Va.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Police are investigating allegations of a sexual assault at a University of Virginia fraternity party two years ago that surfaced in a Rolling Stone article, the university's president said Thursday.

The article, published online Wednesday, reported that a first-year student said she was sexually assaulted by seven men at a fraternity party in September 2012.

The article says that the university administration covers up sexual assault to protect its reputation. President Teresa A. Sullivan, however, said the university takes sexual misconduct seriously.

Sullivan said Charlottesville police are formally investigating the report.

In May, U.Va. was listed among 55 schools across America facing a sexual abuse investigation under the Title IX law by the Education Department for the way they handle sexual abuse allegations by their students.

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe expressed "deep concerns" and has spoken to university leadership about the accusations. He also asked for a full review of the school's sexual assault policies and procedures, using outside experts.

The (Charlottesville, Va.) Daily Progress reported that Phi Kappa Psi — the fraternity named in the article — voluntarily surrendered its fraternal agreement Thursday with the university and suspended all chapter activities.

Vandals overnight threw bottles and chunks of cinderblock through windows at the fraternity house.

Contributing: The Associated Press