Search
Monday, August 8, 2022
The Daily
Search
News
Multimedia
Sports
Opinion
In-Depth
Subscribe
Lifestyles
The Roost
Classifieds
Send a Tip
°
Full Forecast
The Daily News
  • News
  • Lifestyles
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Multimedia
  • In-Depth
  • The Roost
  • Classifieds
  • Send a Tip
  • Donate
  • News
  • Lifestyles
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Multimedia
  • In-Depth
  • The Roost
  • Classifieds
  • Send a Tip
Search

Subscribe

Subscribe to The Daily News

News 10/18/2018, 12:00pm

Fraternities spread messages of consent for Homecoming week

By Brynn Mechem
Fraternities spread messages of consent for Homecoming week

Ball State's Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter hangs a bed sheet outside its house. Ball State fraternities hung bedsheets with messages of consent in front of their houses Oct. 15, 2018. Stephanie Amador, DN

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Mail
  • Print

It is common for a college town to be decked out in banners during Homecoming week, but this year, the messages on them say more than, “Go Cardinals!”

Instead, banners wielding mottos like, “No doesn’t mean change my mind” and “It is not consent if they are too afraid to say no,” are hanging from the 12 Interfraternity Council (IFC) fraternity houses.

IFC vice president of public relations Adam VanDam said in an email that, as a community, members of IFC recognized they needed to take a stance and begin positive steps on the issue of sexual assault awareness and consent education.

The IFC released the following statement about the campaign:

“As an interfraternity community, it is our job to exemplify the motto of ‘Step In and Speak Up’ and to help put an end to sexual assault on our campus and the surrounding community. We as a community have taken this action as a stepping-stone to showing support, knowledge, and a drive for more education on the issue in hopes to put an end to these acts. We acknowledge that this is NOT the solution to a larger issue but a step in the right direction. Our thoughts are with all survivors.”

Since the beginning of the semester, there have been four Public Safety Advisory emails regarding sexual assault sent to campus members: a report of sexual assault in the 1100 block of West Riverside Avenue, two reports of sexual assault in on-campus residence halls and an attempted sexual assault outside Emens Auditorium.

Sigma Phi Epsilon president Alex Robinson said in an email that his fraternity put up its “NO does not mean CONVINCE ME” banner to let the campus community know that the Sigma Phi Epsilon house is a safe space on campus.

“The men of SigEp will always be dedicated to fighting against sexual assault, and will continue to promote our message throughout the community,” Robinson said. “We understand that sexual assault is a huge issue, but it is a fight worth fighting for.”

Peyton Sturgill, Phi Sigma Kappa president, agreed with Robinson, and said various Greek Life programs such as Greek Peer Advocates can help bring awareness to sexual assault and support to survivors.

“Bringing up the conversation that this is a problem, not only in Greek Life, not only on Ball State’s campus, not only in Muncie, but also in today’s society is important,” Sturgill said. “I think this is a problem that way too much, people don’t want to talk about because it is a very touchy subject. Nobody wants to talk about sexual assault because it brings up bad memories, but it is something we need to bring up as a community to start moving forward in a better direction.”

For Lambda Chi Alpha president, Micah Germann, the fraternity’s banner, which reads “Silence does not mean consent,” is a way to help educate.

“Throughout my entire life I never really heard that. Nobody every outlined, ‘This is consent, this is not consent,’ so now at a college level, we’re kind of playing catch up,” Germann said. “Both people need to be sober. They need to be able to make that conscious decision … If anybody missed that education, they’re getting it now. Ignorance of the law doesn’t excuse you.”

In addition to the banners, Germann said Lambda Chi hosts a Sexual Assault Awareness week each semester. That week will begin Monday and will feature a self-defense course for women that is taught by University Police. Additionally, a variety of flyers and literature will be passed out to educate Ball State members on sexual assault.

While VanDam said this campaign is important, he said IFC recognizes it is “in no way the solution to a bigger issue.”

“This is us striving for a beginning step in the right direction and for a push of more education on the topic of sexual assault awareness and consent education,” he said.

Initially, the banners were meant to just be up for Homecoming, but after the positive response from the community, Robinson said Sigma Phi Epsilon has decided to keep its up as long as sexual assault is still an issue on campus.

Contact Brynn Mechem with comments at bamechem@bsu.edu or on Twitter @BrynnMechem. 

Share



Related Stories

CREDIT: Tribune News Service- President Joe Biden delivers remarks on Feb. 5, 2021. Some in Congress are saying his spending on COVID relief contributed to a sustained pace of high inflation that’s sent Biden’s approval ratings skidding and left key moderate Democrats with limited appetite to embrace his remaining economic agenda. (Stefani Reynolds/Pool/Getty Images/TNS)

AP: Senate Democrats approve big Biden deal; House to vote next

By Associated Press

First Thursday is an event in DWNTWN Muncie the first Thursday of every month that showcases art created by local artists. (Joseph McKeigue/DN)

First Thursday gives Muncie locals a chance to showcase their art

By Joseph McKeigue

Los Angeles Dodgers announcer Vin Scully looks into the stands before announcing "It's time for Dodgers baseball," before the team's season opener against the San Francisco Giants in April 2009. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

SMEDLEY: Remembering the greatest commentator of all time, Vin Scully

By Kyle Smedley


The Daily News welcomes thoughtful discussion on all of our stories, but please keep comments civil and on-topic. Read our full guidelines here.



Most Popular


2022 Delaware County Fair 7/15/2022, 5:58pm

2022 Delaware County Fair runs July 11-23, events for July 15-23 upcoming

By Staff Reports

Government/abortion 7/24/2022, 10:00am

Indiana Capital Chronicle: Vice President Kamala Harris coming to Indiana Monday


Delaware County Fair 7/25/2022, 9:58am

The 2022 Delaware County Fair brought opportunities


Baseball 7/15/2022, 9:58am

Still a firefighter: Ahead of likely being selected in the 2022 MLB Draft, Ball State Baseball pitcher Tyler Schweitzer reflects on going from reliever to MAC Pitcher of the Year





Tweets by bsudailynews
To Homepage
  • About
  • Guidelines
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • The Daily

All Rights Reserved

© Copyright 2022 The Daily News

Powered by Solutions by The State News.