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ASU frat parties ok, sororities say

By Elizabeth Neuse
State Press

Sorority sisters at Northwestern University voted to stop being gracious and start saying "no" to co-hosting parties with fraternities where alcohol is served -- something ASU Greeks believe they have under control.

Northwestern's decision was based in part on efforts to reduce potential date rape situations. According to a study from Arizona State University's Department of Public Safety, approximately 73 percent of rapists and 55 percent of victims involved in sexual assault are under the influence of alcohol.

A 1998 ASU Student Health survey reports that 39 percent of students said they have received unwanted sexual advances while attending ASU.

Even with the increased likelihood of these unwanted advances occurring in a social setting where alcohol is being consumed, some ASU students don't think it's a problem.

"I don't worry about it," said nursing freshman Iris Davis, a Chi Omega sorority member. "Maybe I should, but I feel safe because usually we go out in groups or with our boyfriends."

Cassie Gerhardt, the sorority supervisor at ASU, said the co-hosting of large parties that goes on at other colleges really doesn't happen at the University.

"That doesn't mean they (sorority members) are not at fraternity parties," she said, "but I haven't heard of any major problems."

While sororities at ASU haven't found date rape to be a major problem, organizations such as the Relationships and Sexual Violence Program (RSVP) are concerned.

"Sexual assault and violence are no more a problem at ASU than on any other campuses, but the reality is that they are an issue for every college student today," said Sandy Naatz, program coordinator for RSVP.

In October, RSVP began coordinating presentations to make students more aware of the potential danger of sexual assault and providing services for victims of sexual violence.

"With statistics showing that one in four women will be sexually assaulted sometime during their college career," Naatz said. "We want ASU to be part of the solution."

Elizabeth Neuse can be reached by e-mail at dmblov@imap4.asu.edu.