Sexual assault on college campuses is a never-ending topic that is all too familiar to Americans nationwide. Despite recent national conversation regarding the issue, physical and verbal abuse still continue behind closed doors.
The University of Central Florida is taking a step in the right direction towards eliminating verbal promotion of sexual assault. However, we are far from eliminating the problem.
On June 9, a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity at UCF made alarming comments including phrases like, “let’s rape some b*tches,” and “we’re gonna rape ‘em, who cares.” In the Sigma Nu off-campus apartment, the man who recited these rape chants probably thought no one would ever hear the disgusting words; instead, a woman managed to record the brother’s remarks, and relay the video to a student, who then passed it along to the university.
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The university notified the Sigma Nu fraternity on July 20th of its interim suspension. Another letter sent later to the fraternity by the university’s Office of Student Conduct stated that the fraternity would remain on suspension, at least until the scheduled student conduct meeting on August 20th.
On August 20th, the UCF Panel ruled that the fraternity did not violate any university policy, because the individual in the recording made the statements at 2 a.m. in an inebriated state, after returning to the apartment after a night out at a bar.
The university staff must approve the ruling; forcing the fraternity to remain suspended until further notice.
“The reprehensible comments on the recordings were made by an individual and are the responsibility of that individual,” the national Sigma Nu fraternity said in a statement.
Although the fraternity as a whole may not be held accountable for the words of the individual brother, the university’s initial response to the situation is commended. If the university approves the panel’s recommendation, however, it is likely that the man who spoke about “raping sluts” will be let off the hook.
How is this okay?
We like to believe that sexual assault is decreasing, and that college students are becoming more aware of the consequences of the horrifying physical, and verbal acts. Aside from any disciplinary actions set by universities, we are also prone to trusting that those who would engage in such assaults are now thinking twice based on moral judgment.
Neither of these allusions seems to be completely true: there are hundreds of reported cases of campus sexual assault, and probably thousands that go unreported.
Yes, it would have been overkill to take the charter away from an established fraternity for the actions of an individual, who may or may not have meant the words that came out of his mouth that night. In this instance, however, it doesn't matter if the words stumbled out or if the man actually thinks that chants about rape are acceptable; the right decision would have been to charge the man with something related to sexual misconduct, and provide the necessary punishment.
If we as a society continue to let the people who commit these acts slide away unnoticed without consequence, we will not be able to move forward to a safer world. It is outrageous that without direct violation of school handbook policy, a university does not take action against those who physically, mentally, and emotionally hurt others.
Furthermore, if the proper education and training to prevent instances of verbal or physical sexual misconduct were mandated on college and university campuses across the country, there may be a prevention element that manifests itself.
Instead of sending the message to college men and women that it is easy to get away with sexual assault, let’s join together and remind them that the intolerable acts will be noticed, and will also be punishable.
