Fraternity members are taking action against sexual assault.

About 65 representatives from the Interfraternity Council (IFC), Multicultural Greek Council and the Pan-Hellenic Council (PHC) came together yesterday for a sexual assault seminar sponsored by the Center for Women Students and IFC.

"We wanted something that would help us take a proactive approach against all sexual assault," IFC President Andy Hackett said.

Brian Pahl, the coordinator of the Men's Violence Prevention Project at Western Washington University, spoke at the seminar and emphasized the important role men play in the prevention of sexual assault.

"I take a different approach to the issue than what most people are used to hearing," Pahl said. "I want them to know this is what we, as men, can do to lessen the problem of sexual assault."

Each fraternity in the IFC was required to send at least one representative.

The Multicultural Greek Council and the PHC made attendance voluntary. Hackett said some chapters were absent because of the canning weekend.

"We got to discuss within ourselves what we could do for each other to help each other out," said Tom Bogle (sophomore-accounting), the IFC hearings coordinator. "One idea that we talked about was to make all fraternities rape-free zones and make it known to people outside of greek life that we want to make things safe."

Another option discussed was the implementation of an education program for all incoming fraternity classes.

Pahl said several of the members were excited about educating new fraternity members, and over half the audience expressed, through a show of hands, a desire to join Men Against Violence in the prevention of sexual assault.

Through the combined efforts of the Center for Women Students and the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, the education program would break down each aspect of sexual assault.

"We would like to cover a lot of what was discussed today: what exactly consent is, what sexual assault is, what rape is and guidelines for how to prevent that from happening within our chapters," Hackett said. "We want them to know that we are not going to stand for it."

John Jula (sophomore-international politics), a member of Zeta Psi fraternity, 225 E. Foster Ave., agreed that the seminar helped to motivate a lot of members to join prevention programs.

"I think there were a lot of good ideas discussed within the group that, if acted on, could really help," Jula said.

Pahl also emphasized the idea that the prevention of sexual assault can often be seen as a woman's responsibility.

"Women have been saying these same things for years," Pahl said. "When we focus on the victim, we forget about the perpetrator. Now, it's time for men to hold each other accountable."

Susan DelPonte, program assistant for the Center for Women Students, agreed.

"It's really important for men to start talking to men," she said. "Men are a key part of the solution."

Hackett said he planned on making the education program mandatory for each pledge class, but holding seminars annually would not be feasible because of cost. He added that he would like to hold seminars every three years.