Members of the MTSU campus community are putting their signatures where their sensibilities lie in saying "no" to sexual assault.
Mitch Denning, Vice President of the Interfraternity Council stated...
At an Oct. 28 pledge drive at the Student Union, the Interfraternity Council collected promises from 136 people to get off the sidelines and get involved when they see sexual assault happening or about to happen.
MTSU's involvement in the "It's On Us" campaign is part of a national initiative launched in September by President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.
"Its primary purpose is to address sexual assault issues on college campuses and across the nation in general," said Donald Abels, coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life.
Students had their photos taken holding signs that read "It's on us to look out for someone who has had too much to drink," "It's on us to never blame the victim," and other similar statements.
The actual promise reads: "I pledge to recognize that nonconsensual sex is sexual assault, to identify situations in which sexual assault may occur, to intervene in situations where consent has not or cannot be given, to create an environment in which sexual assault is unacceptable and survivors are supported."
"It's time for us as men to actually take a stand, to try and show that we're more than just saying, 'Hey, I'm True Blue,'" said Josh Hollingsworth, vice president for philanthropy and community service for the Interfraternity Council. "We believe in the words that we speak every day as fraternity men."
To spread the word, MTSU fraternities and sororities are touting the "It's On Us" campaign on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The Twitter hashtags are #itsonus and #truebluemove.
