When a tragic case, such as MSU freshman Olivia Pryor’s occurs, and a student is heavily intoxicated, raped and found dead in her Hubbard Hall dorm room the next day, it brings the topic of sexual assault on campuses to the forefront.

Earlier this month, Pryor’s assaulter, Marquez Cannon, pleaded guilty to raping her before her death.

According to psychology professor Rebecca Campbell, who specializes in the criminal justice response to sexual assault, sexual assault is common on college campuses across the country.

During college years, nationally one in five women and one in 20 men will be sexually assaulted. This data was from random surveys of students at four-year institutions, such as MSU, and she said the numbers are relative at MSU.

“Conversation is a piece, but it’s not the only piece,” Campbell said in regards to preventing sexual assault on college campuses. “The most important thing to do is develop preventative programs and make sure you have comprehensive services available for victims.”

Paulette Granberry Russell, director of the Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives and MSU’s Title IX coordinator, said many cases of rape go unreported, among other issues.

Granberry Russell said MSU altered university policy to be more explicit in the ways sexual assault allegations and complaints are addressed, adding it to MSU’s sexual harassment policy.

She also said the university requires incoming students to watch an educational video about sexual assault before coming to campus, investigates any alleged assaults on a regular basis and launched a sexual assault awareness campaign in February.

It’s necessary students are aware of the effects alcohol and drugs can have on a person’s judgement and behavior, she said.

“If (people) witness something, they have a responsibility not to be a passive bystander, but to intervene,” Granberry Russell said. “(Rape’s) impact on someone’s life is so significant that it’s imperative to do what one can to prevent it from happening.”

Earlier this week, MSU students held events to educate people about sexual violence. Monday, students chalked poetry on a portion of the “rape trail,” or river trail, to combat myths about what some students consider a hot spot for sexual assault. Tuesday night, students held a march to Lansing’s Capitol Building to “take back the night” from the fear of sexual assault.

Granberry Russell said students arriving on campus have the expectation they are going to be safe and it is MSU’s concern to ensure the university is a “safe space” for students and the greater MSU community.

English sophomore Megan Redmond said she feels comfortable and safe anywhere on campus, even if she is walking alone at night.

Granberry Russell said the key is to always be aware of surroundings — which Redmond believes she is conscious of when she goes out and stays prepared.

“Just be safe going into it and you’ll come out safe,” Redmond said, noting that she carries around Mace as a precaution.