SAN MARCOS (CBS 8) - In response to rape allegations against at least one Cal State San Marcos student, demonstrators gathered Tuesday to raise awareness about the issue.
Organizers put the rally together after school officials announced they're investigating an alleged sexual assault.
The report of an alleged rape happened May 4 at an off-campus party hosted by the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity at Cal State San Marcos, and CSUSM and Oceanside police are also investigating additional reports that members were involved in other sexual assaults on or near the campus and at off-campus residences where Tau Kappa Epsilon members lived, according to a university statement.
The reports prompted university officials to issue a campus alert for the "possible threat to the campus community." The fraternity has not been a recognized student organization for nine years although most of its local members were believed to be CSUSM students, according to the university.
The school is advising "students and all campus community members to consider carefully whether their presence at or near TKE social events and parties could place them in danger of sexual assault, date rape drugs or similar illegal drug and/or alcohol use and abuse," the statement said.
The alleged May 4 assault involved one member of the fraternity and the use of date rape drugs, such as Rohypnol, GHB and ketamine, the university said.
Other allegations against the fraternity include pervasive hazing, intimidating a victim or witness, harassment and tampering, vandalism, providing illegal drugs and alcohol to minors and illegal drug use, according to the statement.
Tau Kappa Epsilon lost its recognition as a student organization in 2005 as a result of underage alcohol use and a failure to maintain academic standing. It still belongs to the fraternity's national organization. The chapter has been suspended as a result of the current investigation.
Cal State San Marcos officials also asked anyone with information about the incidents or who believed they or someone they know was a victim to come forward and report what they know to the university by calling (760) 750-4567 or (760) 750-7233, or to local law enforcement or the state Attorney General's Office.
Sexual assault victims were encouraged to seek confidential support by calling (760) 750-4915.