If you are in any way affiliated with Michigan State University, you probably know about the decision handed down by the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, regarding sexual assault, harassment, and relationship violence at MSU. It would be surprising for an MSU student to not be aware of the current situation, and even more surprising would be an individual that is aware yet not concerned or frustrated with how our generation has dealt with this reality. We are not having the necessary conversations on our campus and too many students do not treat this matter with the importance that is appropriate given a problem this large.

It would be wrong to say that government leaders and university administrators have not attempted to solve this problem. Even given the disheartening findings of OCR’s investigations at MSU, there are countless individuals on campus that are truly well-intentioned and passionate about ending sexual assault. However, cultural change is almost impossible to happen through simple university policy changes, Title IX compliance, or brief Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence (SARV) workshops. It is very clear that this issue has gotten so far out of hand that we have been forced into reactionary measures and discipline rather than attempting to eliminate the problem all together.

Fortunately, State Representative Tom Cochran, and East Lansing’s state senator, Curtis Hertel Jr. have taken a huge step in the right direction by introducing legislation directed at teaching affirmative consent. Instead of trying to push change onto university campuses, the bill would mandate the teaching of affirmative consent in any secondary school that offers sex education. Affirmative consent is a very simple concept to understand: if you do not get a yes, it is rape. It is really just that simple. By teaching high school students exactly what to expect if they choose to attend postsecondary schooling at a university or college, we will be able to start the conversation early and hopefully instill a sense of community around the idea that sexual assault is an incredibly serious matter and consent is the most important part of any sexual encounter. This piece of legislation makes me proud to have worked with Senator Hertel on this important topic, but more importantly; it is a common sense bill that should not find itself entrenched in the partisan gridlock that we often see in government. There is absolutely no reason for any of our legislators to oppose this bill and as an organization ASMSU is dedicated to providing the insight and advocacy that will push this bill on to Governor Snyder’s desk.

Generally, cultural change has proven to be a very slow moving process that often requires an entire generational shift, but when it comes to sexual assault we cannot afford to waste time with inaction. Not only is this a stain on our society, it is also a public health matter of the utmost importance. No parent should have to send their child to a campus where sexual assault is a common occurrence. Senator Hertel and Representative Cochran have done our state, university, and nation, a great service by opening the door for substantive change and providing a large step in the right direction. It is unacceptable to stand by and allow lives to be ruined by a fleeting moment that is all too preventable. It’s on us, all of us, to end sexual assault and restore the safe environment students should be able to expect during the most transformative years of our lives.  

Domonique Clemons is President of ASMSU. He can be reached at president@asmsu.msu.edu.