The program was recently introduced to the public by President Barack Obama as a means for encouraging people to pledge to make a change regarding sexual assault. The program’s website features a video collaboration with several celebrities and important media figures. Resources are also available for pledgers to create personalized badges and icons showing that they support the program.

In order to bring the initiative to MSU’s campus, Conwell and ASMSU Vice President of Special Projects Ryan Smith sat in on a conference call with White House staff and other college students.

“There were representatives from over 800 universities on the call,” Conwell said. “It was a great experience.”

Once “It’s On Us” went live on September 19, awareness for the project has spread around campus. The PSA video was shown between quarters on the large screens in Spartan Stadium at last weekend’s game. 

The initiative's official goal is to “create an environment where sexual assault is unacceptable and survivors are supported”.

ASMSU's vice president of special projects Ryan Smith also represented MSU in the conference call and is helping to spread awareness.

“It is a culture change,” Smith said. “We need to take the blame off victims and realize it is on us as bystanders and leaders to stop sexual assault”.

At a recent ASMSU general council meeting, MSU Police Captain Kelly Roudebush came in to speak with members and highlight some of the ways MSU is working to prevent sexual assault on campus.

“Sexual assault is the most underreported crime on campus,” Roudebush said, pointing out there were “only 20 reported cases of sexual assault in 2012”.

She went on to discuss the use of personal defense spray on campus, stating that it was legal within the State Law provided the cannister not exceed 35 grams. As well, students can take self defense classes offered through the Sports and Recreation department to learn how to respond in dangerous situations. Roudebush believes there is some confusion regarding the laws on pepper spray.

“If you can buy it at some place like Meijer, it’s very likely it is legal to use,” Roudebush said.

The green light phones around campus are also an important resource, as they effectively act as a 911 Call, and the police respond to every instance of a button being pressed.

“They are worth having,” Roudebush said.

Currently there are about 200 of these phones on campus, and they are being upgraded to send out alerts through the MSU Alert service.

ASMSU is currently planning to meet with several student organizations to discuss sexual assault. President Conwell has already met with campus diversity leaders and members of the Council of Racial and Ethnic Students and Council of Progressive Students groups.

“It’s on all of us to stop sexual assault,” Conwell encouraged students on his twitter profile. “I took the pledge to be part of the solution and so can you”.