At each Undergraduate Student Government debate, women's safety was addressed. At each debate, women's safety was inadequately dealt with regarding sexual assault and harassment.

What we heard during the debates was, "Women need to know what they are in for when they go out drinking." "Women need to know self defense." "Women should never, ever walk alone at night . . . or in the afternoon" "Women should never go on a date with someone they don't know . . . they could be raped . . ."

It's never a woman's fault if she is attacked, assaulted or raped. Men rape. It is men's responsibility to end assaults on women's minds, bodies and psyches. We were waiting to hear an admission that men are responsible for these behaviors and someone take a stand on what is acceptable behavior and what is not.

Lest you think that we are abandoning the women we represent as our terms as co-directors draw to a close, we are not. We are advising you to take matters into your own hands. Hold your student leadership accountable. Hold the administration accountable for providing aggressive definitions of acceptable and unacceptable behavior.

Protest. Join an organization where you will find solidarity. Write letters to everyone you think will help. Attend Take Back the Night at 7 p.m. April 14, and express your rage at our system of ignorance.

Do not let yourself become complacent as you begin to internalize these powerful messages, telling you it's your fault if anything happens. It is not your fault. Resources are available, there are places where you can tell your story and it will be believed.

Although we have been working on better lighting and resident-surveyed card access hours and emergency phone placement, our stance on the matter of male responsiblity has been largely ignored by many student leaders.

We acknowledge the efforts of Men Stopping Rape and other organizations who have understood the problem's root and done what they could to counteract this ignorance. We can only reassert that more must be done and we are disappointed that more people in positions of influence haven't caught on. We demand responsibility.