Why the Cornell gang rape case has raised concerns about fraternity culture

For more than 40 percent of US presidents, the fraternity hall was an early stop on the road to the White House. Fraternal organisations, more commonly known as fraternities or frats, have a long and storied history on college campuses in the United States. One industry group, the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC), represents 58 fraternities spread across 600 schools. It claims nearly 200,000 undergraduate students as active members and an alumni population of 4.2 million. The draw for college-aged men is the promise of brotherhood, a bond that transcends keg parties and late-night revelry.