If you're headed to a party at a University of California, Berkeley fraternity or sorority, expect more than a greeting at the front door: Under a new policy, party-goers will be welcomed with a two- to three-minute training talk on sexual consent and intervention tips for bystanders.
The new safety measures come after the student-led councils representing the campus' fraternities and sororities took the unusual step of suspending parties after two sexual assaults at fraternities the weekend of Oct. 15-16.
The councils quickly lifted the ban, but over the weekend agreed to changes that will include the "consent talks" when party-goers arrive at social events and rosters with updated contact information and clear roles for "sober monitors," risk managers and other fraternity and sorority leaders.
UC Berkeley's fraternities _ which have faced scrutiny for serious dangers at parties _ already require regular sexual assault-prevention training for all members, as do sororities on campus.
The agreement had not been posted online Wednesday afternoon, but a statement from campus officials summarized the changes.
Cal's Greek system also aims to improve collaboration among students planning social events to better address "a wide variety of issues ranging from uninvited guests and noise violations to more serious problems like sexual assault or underage drinking," according to the statement.
"By collaborating," it said, "they'll learn from each other's experience about what works best."
