The Interfraternity Council is investigating allegations that several fraternity members harassed marchers at a "Take Back the Night" rally.

Although many fraternities supported the marchers by echoing chants and by lighting candles in the their house windows, marchers overhead others chanting "No means yes, now take off your dress!" in response to the marcher's chant of "No means no, yes means yes, wherever we go, however we dress!"

As the marchers stopped to form a circle, they said they saw four to five men exit from the back door of Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity, 329 E. Prospect Ave., make the inappropriate chants and re-enter the house.

The brothers of Sigma Alpha Mu conducted their own investigation, contacting every brother living in and out of the house. Their investigation found that no brothers were involved, according to a press release.

The IFC has not charged the fraternity or any of its members yet.

"This incident was really disheartening," said Lauren Pilnick, president of Lambda Delta Omega sorority and a marcher. "We received negativity at all our stops, but this was the most blatant."

"Take Back the Night" originated in Germany in 1973 to increase awareness about violence against women and inspire people to take action against it. The intent of the march is to bring issues such as rape and sexual assault from the private homes of the victims to the public streets.

"We are continuing to investigate into this matter and are trying to find out all the facts," IFC President Jon Brooks said. "We're putting a great effort into finding out the truth and are determined to find out what happened."

Pilnick wrote Sigma Alpha Mu a letter regarding the incident, to which the fraternity responded that their members were not responsible for the action and were insulted by the allegations.

"This event is really disappointing," Brooks said. "So often is the case that a few people mar the genuinely good actions of many. We're trying to fight a stereotype and the actions of those few taint that."

On Monday, the IFC executive board passed a new sexual harassment policy that will affect the procedures taken if any of the Sigma Alpha Mu members are charged.

"A girl who was sexually harassed at a fraternity house came to us around winter break wondering what the IFC could do to sanction an individual," said Aaron Nye, executive vice president of IFC. "While we can't sanction an individual, her plea did make us reconsider our policy, and we worked with many women's concern groups and the Panhellenic Council to improve it."

If individuals are found guilty of the inappropriate chants at the "Take Back the Night" rally, they will be referred to the State College police and Penn State's Office of Judicial Affairs.

If the entire chapter house is found to "foster a hostile environment or fostering an environment facilitating sexual assault" the chapter will be brought up before an IFC disciplinary hearing board. If they are found guilty, the house will receive sanctions ranging from a $500 fine to five weeks of social probation.

The house will also have to attend mandatory educational programs on sexual assault/abuse and perform community service in the Centre County Women's Resource Center.

"All we really want is a formal apology," Pilnick said. "It's the least they can do."