Parent, students react to protest and sexual assault reported against a UNL fraternity

A late night protest brought several hundred to protest outside Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — UNL students are fired up after a sexual assault was reported in the first week back to school.

A late-night protest brought several hundred to protest outside Phi Gamma Delta. 

Parents and students tell Channel 8 they are shaken up after a rape incident was reported to have occurred at a fraternity house on Monday. 

Tuesday night hundreds of students protested to remove Phi Gamma Delta or FIGI fraternity from UNL. 

Shouting for justice as the fraternity is under investigation for the recent allegation and is already on probation for previous violations. 

UNL Chancellor Ronnie Green announced they are closing the FIGI house while the case is under investigation saying: 

“We are closing the fraternity house and suspending operations of the FIJI chapter while this investigation is ongoing, due to potential violations of that probation. This is the responsible action to take for everyone involved.”

FIJI HOUSE CLOSED: UNL Chancellor comments on alleged sexual assault

An uncle chose to visit his niece who is in a sorority and says she’s shaken up after a sleepless night. 

“I feel heartbroken because of all they went through last year,” said Jeff Forster, UNL alumni. “They’re all under a lot of stress, I think, and they’re going back to school for the first time, you know, try to be normal.” 

A student says she plans to be a part of another protest tonight. 

“I heard the university isn’t handling it the best and they’re just not holding the people accountable, maybe fully as they should, for what they’ve been doing,” said Riley Schwartztrauber, UNL sophomore. “I think that’s sad because like if you do something, especially that degree, that’s really hurting someone that way you need to be held accountable for your actions.” 

We reached out to the national Phi Gamma Delta chapter. It says it takes these allegations seriously and does not tolerate sexual violence. 

And will take appropriate action after the investigation is complete.

Their full statement is below: 

Phi Gamma Delta takes these allegations very seriously and does not tolerate sexual violence. Our chapter at the University of Nebraska is cooperating with local authorities as they investigate allegations of sexual assault by one of its members. The International Fraternity is working with the University and will take appropriate action pending the findings of the investigation. — Rob Caudill, Executive Director 

A petition was started to have the fraternity removed and it has thousands of signatures.