“We’ve been working in tandem with the Office for Institutional Equity to produce a Greek workshop—it’s a program called ‘Greeks Take the Lead’ and it’s (a) prevention-based model for the fraternity and sorority community, and this will be our third year doing that,” Schweda said.

Schweda said in previous years, SARV sent peer educators into the fraternity and sorority houses, but with the grant, they're able to broaden the education model differently.

The series of workshops and training, which expand on “Greeks Take the Lead,” will be funded by $39,216 from the Campus Sexual Assault Grant Program, a statewide initiative by Michigan First Lady Sue Snyder.

MSU has received funding from the program for the last three years. The first grant was used for bystander intervention training to encourage East Lansing’s bar owners, cab drivers and others to step in if and when they see something. The second was used to establish SARV workshops for upperclassmen, as most existing programs focused on new students, Schweda said.

"We’re really just giving the community what they need, so really what they need to be effective leaders of change to prevent sexual assault on campus,” Schweda said.

“New president training” sessions run by SARV staff will begin Sunday, Schweda said, followed by training for risk manager positions later this month. “General member training” for all members of greek community members, covering specialized topics such as consent, cyberstalking and being active on campus, will be held throughout February and March, potentially extending into April, Schweda said. 

The training sessions will feature speakers, both local and invited. The speakers and dates for training events are not yet solidified, Schweda said.

“Not only is it meant to broaden your interest level and your education, but also to create a dialogue about these subjects within each chapter,” Schweda said.