U.Va. sororities told to avoid frat parties after alleged gang rape

More controversy has erupted involving Greek life on the campus of the University of Virginia, still reeling from a now discredited Rolling Stone article detailing an alleged gang rape at a fraternity house.

While the university has lifted a suspension on all Greek events and imposed more regulations in the wake of that story, 16 U.Va. sororities have been told that, for their safety, they will have to avoid a campus tradition -- boys' bid night, reports CBS News correspondent Julianna Goldman.

As many students prepare for one of the biggest party weekends of the year, 2,000 sorority sisters are being told to find something else to do.

"Initially, I was very upset," U.Va. sophomore Ellie Kayton said.

Her sorority, which she asked not be identified, is one of the 16 being told to stay away from the fraternity houses hosting the parties.

"It became obvious to me that while it was well-intentioned, it was having the wrong effect on the culture here at U.Va.," she said.

Fraternities and sororities agreed to new regulations in the wake of the explosive Rolling Stone piece last November. Some of the allegations in the article were later discredited, but the sorority's national chapter presidents are still concerned for members' safety.

In a statement, the national group representing the 16 sororities said the "support the safety of their women, so they support those national presidents making that decision and encouraging sorority women to plan sisterhood events and other 'safer' options."

But students say their decision vilifies U.Va.'s entire Greek system.

"It taking away the ability for girls in sororities to make their own choice," a male U.Va. student said.

"I think the manner in how it's approached, the entire culture is the issue," a female student added.

This week, sorority members created an online petition urging U.Va. to revoke the order, which they said promotes "gender discrimination and "perpetuates the idea that women are inferior, sexual objects."

"You have to take the responsibility off of the women, you can't put rules on them and not punish the fraternities, they don't have any punishments right now, yet we have to stay indoors," Kayton said.

The Change.org petition has garnered more than 2,000 signatures -- the number of women making up the 16 sororities.

Still, some of the sororities are planning those so-called "sisterhood events" in their sorority houses because they are concerned about losing their charters.