Students are making sure UMD is aware of its silence on sexual assault

Students return from the Slut Walk to McKeldin Library. (Mario Morais/The Black Explosion)

University of Maryland students are exposing the reality of sexual assault covered up by UMD’s TerrapinSTRONG rhetoric.

In light of recent news surrounding sexual assault incidents in the university’s Greek life, students banded together to demonstrate their frustrations with the administration’s handling of sexual assault. The student organization Prevent Sexual Assault (PSA) hosted the Slut Walk on October 22 across campus to condemn sexual assault with chants, posters and firsthand testimony from student victims.

“Slut Walk is a national event hosted by a lot of the women’s marches and it’s really important because it allows us to reclaim the word ‘slut,’” said Hailey Chaikin, senior communications major and PSA’s president. “There’s nothing wrong with being a ‘slut,’ and the word really shouldn’t exist at all because everyone should be able to do what they want with their bodies.”

Students marched across campus and spoke in front of McKeldin Mall to capture the attention of faculty, students and even a few visiting tour groups. The demonstration received a notable turnout of both women and men standing in solidarity or sharing their experiences.

“I feel like as a guy, it’s important to come out to these events because if I am not actively participating in the solution, I am a part of the problem. I wanted to let women on campus know that male allies are trying to deconstruct this harmful cycle on campus,” said Matthew Foos, a sophomore physics major. “This event is part of it, but it’s also conversations with guys that I know and calling out things in the day-to-day.”

This event was in direct response to comments made by President Pines that dismissed the issue of sexual assault on campus in an interview with the Diamondback.

“I don’t think we have a big problem here in Greek life,” Pines said.

Since the interview, students across campus have been voicing their frustrations with the university by protesting at administrative offices and holding demonstrations at McKeldin Mall. Chaikin and the students in attendance also found Pines’ comments dismissive and disrespectful to students affected by sexual violence. Many demonstrators who attended this event do not feel the university or the Pines administration is doing enough to address the issue.

“I think [Pines’ comments] covers up the issue and keeps it political, but he has to stand up because there is a lot of rape culture that goes on at UMD,” said junior criminal justice major Kierra Hughes. “As the president, he has to be morally correct, acknowledge the issue, and respect the victims that spoke today.”

A few campus resources have been advertised as methods the university is using to address these issues. University organizations like C.A.R.E., a confidential resource for students impacted by sexual violence, have been hosting workshops throughout the year discussing sexual assault and relationship violence prevention tactics. However, until there is direct action from the university that addresses the frustrations of students, demonstrators and victims continue to plan and speak out till the administration takes notice.