The presidents of various fraternal organizations at Syracuse University are calling on the broader fraternal community to unite against sexual assault on college campuses. They acknowledge that sexual assault is a pervasive problem in both Greek and non-Greek communities. While individual universities are addressing the issue, the Greek leaders believe the entire fraternal community should take a proactive, united stance to drive positive change. They have begun developing plans and are asking other Greek councils and communities to provide input and support to help address this critical issue.

1. To our fellow Brothers and Sisters,
We come to you as the Presidents of the Panhellenic, Interfraternity, National Association of Latino Fraternal
Organizations, Multicultural Greek, Professional Fraternity, and National Pan-Hellenic Councils at Syracuse
University in an effort to unite the fraternal community under a common cause. For far too long, there has
been a negative connotation linked to the relevance of sororities and fraternities. The media does not highlight
the money we raise, the countless hours we volunteer, or the lives we positively impact. With national focus
now on the large number of sexual assaults taking place on university campuses, the media is once again
painting Greek life in a negative light.
Sexual assault is a pervasive problem. It is, and has been, an epidemic on college campuses, for both men and
women for far too long. Does sexual assault happen within the Greek community? Yes. Fraternities and
sororities have a commitment to excellence and, with that, we own that sexual assault is a problem. We want
to, and must, be part of the solution. Sexual misconduct is something to which the Greek community must find
a solution.
Individual campuses may be addressing sexual assault, but Syracuse University's fraternity and sorority
community believes that it is time for us to proactively take a stance as one united inter-fraternal community.
Let’s properly utilize our resources and expand beyond our own universities, chapters, and Greek communities.
We can drive the narrative and improve the safety of all men and women attending college today – support of
universities from all regions of the U.S. will help. We have been working on several ideas to get the ball rolling,
and what we ask of you now is this: please take this concept to your respective Greek communities and let
Syracuse University know where you stand. We need your help to make our plans come to fruition. Please
contact us on a per council basis by email and enter into a discussion with Syracuse University's Greek Councils
on what we can do to be proactive on the issue of sexual assault. And please help us spread the news within
your Greek communities. We are aware we may not have reached out to the leaders of each council so please
send this along to your respective community.
We are dedicated to taking a stance, making a change, and sending a message. Most importantly however, we
are dedicated to creating an environment where survivors feel comfortable speaking out and sexual violence is
non-existent. Only Yes means Yes. We know that. Now let's come together to prove that we not only know it,
but that we live it, teach it, and expect it.
In Unity,
The Syracuse University Greek Community