Despite intermittent workshops designed to give men on our campus, especially fraternity men, a well-rounded understanding of consent and power dynamics, sexual assault and rape is far too common Northwestern. We must improve the way student groups present anti-rape discourse for men and add workshops that focus on the deconstruction of toxic masculinity. To curb sexual assault, end misogyny and liberate men from self-destructive mental and social confines, we must eliminate the implicit notion — present in a large portion, if not the majority, of NU men — that men must dominate women.

As a participant in these workshops through my fraternity, I know that it feels reassuring and often therapeutic to have peers recognize, in general terms, the problems faced by everyone but men on a daily basis. Although no one deserves praise for recognizing basic human rights, it is heartening to see fraternity men recognize people who are not exactly like them. To see these men internalize a more nuanced understanding of consent can make us feel like we have nothing to worry about.

Despite this feeling, sexual assault continues to occur on our campus. That does not necessarily mean discussions centered around an understanding of consent are worthless. But it does mean they are not going to deter those who rape as a means of expressing dominance. We need to design more workshops that expressly aim to either facilitate discussion about how we can dismantle power structures by strictly revising our common language and behaviors, or directly dismantle power structures, which will require willful subversion (or destruction) of the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Association regulations. Destruction may be impossible considering the obstinacy of the ultra-conservative people who administer the workshops.

Fraternities typically do not host sexual assault workshops aside from new member orientation, for which there is a single mandatory presentation hosted by Men Against Rape and Sexual Assault. The only other context in which fraternities are required to host workshops is in “crisis mode,” or directly after instances of reported sexual assault in which members are involved. For institutions that claim to be significantly more socially aware and responsible than fraternities nationwide, we at NU do next to nothing in the way of promoting anti-rape and/or anti-toxic masculinity discourse aside from when it’s absolutely necessary. To actually walk the walk, it’s necessary to introduce programs that promote said discourse and center on power dynamics at least as much as on consent.

The required workshops organized by IFC should not only be run by MARS. The complex psychology behind power dynamics requires professional assistance from an organization such as the Center for Awareness, Response and Education. Speaking from personal experience, some fraternities members are encouraged to join MARS for the sake of gaining favor with the University. This performative allyship leads to massive inconsistencies in the quality of MARS discussions. This does not mean that MARS and student peer dialogue in general is not valuable, but it is more effective as a tool for sustained dialogue and calls to action than as a tool to reform imperative, complex issues embedded in the psyches of powerful men.

It is difficult to distinguish whether efforts for social change are better when they come from outside or inside of problematic institutions. A recent column by Aaron Boxerman advocated for the elimination of the Greek system at NU. Although that stance may lack nuance, it is true that in their current form fraternities perpetuate toxic masculinity and cause direct suffering to a larger-than-you-think number of individuals on campus. If IFC-associated men think Boxerman is wrong, prove him wrong – mandate workshops that raze the foundation of that suffering.

John Williams is a McCormick sophomore. He can be contacted at [email protected]. If you would like to respond publicly to this column, send a Letter to the Editor to [email protected]. The views expressed in this piece do not necessarily reflect the views of all staff members of The Daily Northwestern.