SIU student leaders are calling on their fellow students to address violence on the Carbondale campus.
Student Trustee Adrian Miller says SIU is forming an "It's On Us" task force. "It's On US" is a national awareness campaign to end sexual violence on college campuses.
Miller says that the task force will also address additional concerns like the fight that happened on "The Strip" last weekend, as well as sexual assaults.
"There's this assumption the we have a violent campus and that's not the case, we have a very safe campus that has a lot of programs and initiatives including this one that are there for student resources and we want to make sure that the actions of a few don't overwhelm and define the student body."
Campus leaders believe it is critical for a student-driven response to make an effective change in perception of the university and its students. Miller also says students need to realize they will be held accountable for their actions and the choices they make.
"If you are involved in a situation like that, it's your responsibility to know that there are consequences the next morning. And my message to students: if your friends or yourself is in a position where you may be in a confrontational situation, recognize that and go away, walk away."
The Undergraduate Student Government will also launch a new program this semester called "Saluki 411".
It will be a one stop web-based program to help student navigate and locate any resource they may need on campus.
