THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA / SPRING 2017
THE WILDCAT WAY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25
As discussions began to evolve, I found that we, as sorority women, all had similar questions and concerns, and that I was not alone. Through the program, we were able to find our voice as a community. Furthermore, the series created a sense of solidarity among the participants and a responsibility to take action. Many women who completed the series now hold leadership positions within their own sorority, Fraternity & Sorority Programs, and other campus organizations. They are behind programming for sexual assault prevention and awareness, or are now SPEAC interns themselves. Personally, it has been
inspiring to see both upperclassmen and underclassmen from various sororities demonstrate a passion to create change and move our community forward together. Although we have only had one women’s Wildcat Way series, it has already led to a greater focus on sexual assault awareness and prevention in Fraternity and Sorority leadership and programming. Together, with the support of the Women’s Resource Center and the SPEAC interns, we will continue to take strides towards a more aware, responsible, and safe community. The men’s Wildcat Way sessions closely mirror the women’s sessions with SPEAC interns and WRC members alike present to facilitate healthy discussion. The subject matter on the
27
men’s side of the program provides crucial information regarding consent, situational awareness and intervention techniques, alcohol related issues, and cultural issues that are present within our campus and country alike. While this may be the first time that Fraternity men have been offered a course such as Wildcat Way, the reception within the community shows that both men and women are striving to perpetuate change both on and off campus. No change can come to fruition without honest discussion and active participation within a community; through Wildcat Way, members within the Greek community are able to step up and become initiators of the very change that is needed.