On April 20, the Interfratenity Council and student government held a cookout in Fraternity Court, with proceeds going to Project Dinah, a campus anti-interpersonal violence organization. On April 7, four fraternities hosted It’s On Us, a fundraiser for the Orange County Rape Crisis Center. These events “promote sexual assault awareness and prevention.” It’s impressive that Greek organizations have recognized sexual assault as endemic to their communities.
But now, we call on the IFC, Greek Alliance Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council and the entire university community to translate this desire to promote awareness into actual, thorough reform of Greek culture.
If fraternities are serious about sexual assault, it requires more than self-congratulatory events. Sexual assault is a direct result of a culture founded upon an unhealthy vision of masculinity.
A thoughtful approach to curbing the ways in which this toxic masculinity is perpetuated through Greek culture is needed.
There are countless intervention points for policy reform in Greek life. Neither of the aforementioned awareness events suggest any policy changes. They serve more as public relations events by allowing fraternities to say they’re dealing with sexual assault by throwing events to donate to organizations who, ironically, combat the very same culture fraternities foster.
Real change in sexual assault rates on campus requires major reforms, like allowing sororities to host parties, creating a set of IFC safety rules for parties that are realistically enforceable and dismantling hazing culture across all student organizations. The efforts of groups like the UNC Men’s Project are also worth emulating.
Significant reform is far away. On this campus there are many brave activist who are leading this fight, and following their leadership could bring about this much needed reform.
(Male) Greek life, you are doing better by acknowledging the problem. But if you genuinely believe that “It’s on you,” be ready. You can and need to do more.
