The following is a Letter to the Editor for the Opinions section. 

“when i am afraid to speak
is when i speak.
that is when it is most
important.”
~the freedom in fear
Nayyirah Waheed

I was sexually assaulted during my freshman year of college at a fraternity party. Almost exactly one year later, I was initiated into Theta Chi fraternity. It was a decision that required heavy introspection about my own values and experiences, but it has allowed me to experience firsthand how fulfilling it is to be a part of a diverse community of truly resolute men. It has also allowed me to understand the issues with Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s (SAE) potential return from two angles.

As a survivor, I recognize how SAE’s revived presence sends the message that the experiences and traumas of survivors matter less than a fraternity with a dangerous history on campus and nationally. As a brother, I recognize my own responsibility in taking a stand against rape culture, the societal culture that trivializes and perpetuates sexual assault, in fraternities and minimizing the amount of harm inflicted on others.

Each of the fraternities in the Interfraternity Council (IFC) need to understand that there are brothers amongst them who are survivors, whether they are vocal about it or not. According to the Campus Sexual Assault Study, one in 16 males will be sexually assaulted during his time in college. Odds are that some of them are our brothers.

It is not a matter of if SAE will return but rather when. Many fraternities on campus have provisions in their national bylaws that require them to vote “yes” on new fraternities returning to campus. Because of this, the IFC will be voting on when SAE will return, not if they return.

When I joined Theta Chi, I joined a group of men who have been there for me every step of the way. I hope this continues. I hope my voice is heard and respected. I hope we can do the same for all of the others across campus with stories like mine, because they are far more common than we realize.

Sawyer Austin Nash