Greeks Against Rape, an organization committed to educating members of the Greek system about sexual issues, changed its name last Sunday to Sexual Awareness through Greek Education.
The change, which occurred at the organization's first meeting of the term, is an attempt to redefine the group's image.
"The word rape has some very strong connotations. Who's not against rape?" said Doug Scott '94, co-chair of SAGE and a member of Alpha Delta fraternity.
Greeks Against Rape members, other members of the Greek system and the administration all suggested that the organization change its name.
"We're not here to be a figurehead. We're here to effect some serious change," Scott said.
Both Scott and co-chair Aliza Waksal '96 said SAGE's emphasis will be to educate rather than to take aggressive action concerning sexual harassment and rape.
"Everyone goes to frats, and everybody drinks," Waksal said. "We're going to try to get people aware of what is appropriate and what is not appropriate."
Greeks Against Rape was formed two years ago by members of Greek houses in order to combat sexual harassment and similar problems arising from miscommunication between the sexes.
The fledgling organization ran into many difficulties in its first few years, culminating in the Interfraternity Council's refusal to fully fund the group last summer.
Each fraternity contributed $10, which is one-fifth of the amount requested by Greeks Against Rape.
During the summer, IFC President Scott Swenson '95 expressed the fraternities' concerns about Greeks Against Rape. "They really don't have any concrete plans yet and there have been some leadership problems. I wish them the best of luck, but the IFC can't give a blank check to an organization whose goals we don't know," he said.
The Greek houses have now agreed to pay $30 each toward the organization, as compared to the $50 solicited in the summer.
"The summer co-chairs got into a little squabble with the IFC over payment. It was a misunderstanding," Scott said yesterday.
He said he thinks the organization has redefined its role and that the name change reflects the new focus.
All but four of the Greek houses voted for a name change at the end of Fall term. Each house can send one or two representatives to the organization's meetings.
Only six representatives attended Sunday's meeting when the co-chairs presented the new name for discussion.
Scott said because the houses have all just changed officers, SAGE had trouble contacting them about the meeting. Scott attributed the low meeting attendance to the holiday weekend and the inability to contact house representatives.
"Frankly, the weather was really bad, and it was a three day weekend," said Heather Brignull '96 a sister in Delta Gamma sorority who attended the meeting. "I like to give them the benefit of the doubt and say that they'll attend future meetings."
To help spread awareness, SAGE will bring speakers to the College and work to improve their system of educating pledges.
"Pledge education is really important because when you first enter the Greek system, you should have the time to sit down and discuss responsibilities," Waksal said.
