In light of recent media backlash against Greek Life’s association with sexual assault, ASU’s Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity pledged to its new partner organization, Man Up, on Wednesday to fight against sexual assault and create a culture of respect toward women.
All 122 members of the fraternity took the pledge to announce their support for sexual assault survivors, which Jack Stevens, Sigma Phi Epsilon’s president, said will encourage members to “be better men.”
National rape scandals concerning fraternities have recently circulated the media, causing some protest to Greek culture as a whole. However, Stevens said ASU’s Greek experience is different.
“A lot of bad press has come out about fraternities regarding sexual assault, racism and other things,” he said. “That was never my experience here at Sigma Phi Epsilon here at ASU, and I wanted to make sure that fraternities weren’t just getting painted in this bad light.”
Stevens approached Man Up last year with hopes of creating a partnership that will exemplify the values of his fraternity as opposed to the party culture currently associated with Greek life.
Fraternities should focus more on bettering oneself than partying, Stevens said.
“Fraternities were originally based to create balanced men on college campuses,” he said. “I think that, lately … it has become more of a social drinking club instead of a fraternity.”
Stevens said Man Up is one way for current and prospective members in his fraternity to recognize sexual assault’s prevalence on campus and learn the difference between consent and assault.
According to the American College Health Association, 3.1 percent of women and 0.7 percent of men have experienced an attempted or completed sexual assault at ASU.
“When you go to a place like ASU, there’s definitely a learning curve to be a man and interact with women,” he said. “When things like alcohol are involved, I think lines get blurred and that it is important to teach people what’s acceptable and what’s not.”
Man Up president Justin Maenner said his club and the fraternity will work together to combat sexual violence.
“We don’t have all of the answers, and we know it,” he said. “But we have a very unique approach to command the issue of sexual assault, and that approach is through mentorship and relationships.”
Sigma Phi Epsilon vice president Rick DeCarli said joining Man Up is an effort to improve his fraternity.
“Sexual assault is something that is not acceptable in our chapter,” he said. “But at the same time, we are always looking to improve our understanding of the issue. … We definitely don’t think we’re perfect –– that’s not what we’re trying to show. We’re just trying to be better.”
DeCarli said Sigma Phi Epsilon’s initiative could be the future of Greek life at ASU.
“I’m really excited to see where this goes,” he said. “Hopefully, we can breed a new generation of ASU students that are all respectful and strive for excellence in every area of their lives.”
Reach the reporter at aplante@asu.edu or follow her on Twitter @aimeenplante.
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