RICHMOND, Va. >> A report from the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism said a Rolling Stone magazine article about an alleged rape on the University of Virginia campus was a “story of journalistic failure that was avoidable.” Published on the magazine’s website Sunday night, the report said that “the failure encompassed reporting, editing, editorial supervision and fact-checking.”

Rolling Stone Managing Editor Will Dana posted an apology on the publication’s website Sunday night and said the magazine was officially retracting the story.

The report said Rolling Stone’s article may cast doubt on future accusations of rape. It also damaged the reputation of the Phi Kappa Psi chapter at U.Va. and depicted the university administration as neglectful.

Rolling Stone asked for the independent review after other news media organizations exposed flaws in the November 2012 article, titled “A Rape on Campus.” By Dec. 5, Rolling Stone apologized and acknowledged discrepancies in the article.

A four-month police investigation produced no evidence that the attack occurred.

The article focused on a student identified only as “Jackie,” who said she was raped by seven men at a fraternity house. Jackie refused to cooperate in the police investigation.

“We would like to apologize to our readers and to all of those who were damaged by our story and the ensuing fallout, including members of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and UVA administrators and students,” the magazine’s managing editor, Will Dana, wrote on the publication’s website Sunday night.

“Sexual assault is a serious problem on college campuses, and it is important that rape victims feel comfortable stepping forward. It saddens us to think that their willingness to do so might be diminished by our failings.”

Despite its flaws, the article heightened scrutiny of campus sexual assaults amid a campaign by President Barack Obama. The University of Virginia had already been on the Department of Education’s list of 55 colleges under investigation for their handling of sex assault violations.

The article also prompted U.Va. President Teresa Sullivan to temporarily suspend Greek social events. Fraternities later agreed to ban kegs, hire security workers and keep at least three fraternity members sober at each event.