i
UNIVERSITY
RGINIA
0) Kennera G.Evzinca
Department of Beononics
‘McCormic Road
‘Meroe Fal Rony 257 (all UPS)
PO, Box 400182 (U.S. Mail)
January 22, 2015 ‘Chndtesile VA 2004-4182
‘The President and Brothers of Phi Kappa Psi
Mr. Stephen Scipione Mr, David Fontenot
159 Madison Lane S01 17th St. NW, Apt. F
Charlottesville, VA 22903 Charlottesville VA 22903
Dear Gentlemen:
This is an awkward letter for me to write. It is half apology fiom me and half encouragement to
you, When the Rolling Stone article first appeared, I did not believe it to be true, Obviously, 1
did not have the facts (subsequently revealed) to disprove it. But thought to myself as |
observed the reaction to the story: this is Duke Lacrosse all over again. Yet I was silent. And for
this I apologize.
As other faculty members joined the media in what I consider a scandalous “rush to judgment,” 1
did not raise my voice and say: “what about the presumption of innocence?” Nor did I ask:
“since when is a publication like the Rolling Stone considered to be an authoritative chronicle of
events?”
‘When all Greek activities where shuttered, I wondered: when a Dean in the Commerce School
was found to be a consumer of child pornography, the Administration did not put all the other
deans on leave for a season. And yet I did not ask: why was the entire Greek system treated in
this fashion because of a story about one fraternity?
In hindsight, 1 wondere il internal forces against withholding judgment,
against gathering evidence, and agai ig for due process so strong that the Administration
and Faculty at a university such as UVA eannot even presumptively come to the defense of their
students without being made to appear pro-rape or pro-coereion?
Lalso questioned myself: was there no foram for me, as a professor, where I might have aske«
“shouldn’t we find out if there is ‘another side” before we draw conclusions?” But I did not raise
these questions publically or express my conviction that the story itself was likely unttue except
toa few friends.
For this [ also apologize.
l
Phone 434-924-6752 «Fax: 434-982-2317 + E-mail keneringx@®yshoocom + hip/fwwwe people vinginisedu/nhgeteHere's the other half of my letter. I encourage you to be the kind of men who express maturity
and good judgment now that the story has been shown to be a tissue of lies. May your house be
aplace that models out what a fraternity house can be: a space that is both welcoming and safe
for the brothers of Phi Kappa Psi and their guests. Because a national spotlight was unfairly and
Unjustly put upon you, your house may be able to demonstrate, in word and in deed, how off
track were the accusations made against you,
‘What would it look like if Phi Kappa Psi were known, not only at UVA but elsewhere, as a band
of brothers whose reputation in alcohol and drug use, and whose reputation in how women were
treated by the brothers, whose conduct in manifold ways, as individuals and collectively, was
held up and admired? ‘To use a Biblical allusion, this would “heap coals of fire” on those who
wished you ill and rushed to judgment against you,
Parenthetically, I ust your national headquarters has considered appropriate legal action in this
matter, There is no doubt that your reputation has been damaged, | remain concerned about
people who had read the original story but have not read all the stories that appeared later, In my
travels, I have encountered such individuals.
As an economist, I do not construe a potential lawsuit simply as a way of securing damages for
your fraternity. A sizable judgment against the offending parties may be a deterrence (o this
Of action by those who rush to judgment in the future. A sizable judgment also may be an
opportunity for Phi Kappa Psi to make a significant donation to some charitable entity which
would only shame your presumptive accusers even more, Two such local organizations that my
wife and I support are SARA and the Shelter for Help in Emergeney.
Under His merey,
Robert C. Taylor Professor of Fi
ce. UVA Board of Visitors, Teresa A, Sullivan