MTSU will make a statement about sexual violence Nov. 9-12 by proclaiming “It’s On Us.”

The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life and the MTSU Student Government Association will sponsor the 2015 National Week of Action with special events set throughout the week.

You can see a larger version of the MTSU “It’s On Us” pledge by clicking on the graphic above.

“It’s On Us” is the theme of the National Week of Action, an awareness campaign initiated by the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network.

The purpose is to create a culture of consent and promote the need for bystanders to get involved when they believe sexual misconduct is occurring or is about to occur.

A consent chat will take place on Twitter Monday, Nov. 9, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. under the hashtag #ItsOnUsMTSU.” Participants will discuss consent and what it means.

A consent booth will be set up in the Student Union from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, where students can design their own wristbands to promote consent.

Anyone can take the “It’s On Us” pledge at a booth from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Union Tuesday, Nov. 10, and Wednesday, Nov. 11.

Students will receive personal commitment cards, with the pledge printed on one side and a signature line, to keep in their wallets or purses.

The pledge reads, “I pledge to recognize that non-consensual sex is sexual assault, to identify situations in which sexual assault may occur, to intervene in situations where consent has not or cannot be given, to create an environment in which sexual assault is unacceptable and survivors are supported.”

Students also will be able to make public statements by writing what they will commit to do to prevent sexual misconduct at MTSU. The slips of paper will be displayed on a board for public viewing.

Bystander intervention training is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, in the Student Union Ballroom, and students and others are welcome to take part, organizers said.

Participants will learn how to prevent sexual assault by getting involved when they believe someone is at risk.

A student organization interest meeting is slated for 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, in the Student Union Ballroom. Mitch Denning, president of the It’s On Us student organization, will provide a brief overview on the national “It’s On Us” movement and how it was adopted at MTSU.

The group will also start planning for April 2016, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

The “It’s On Us” Twitter Rally is slated from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at #ItsOnUsMTSU.

Unlike a Twitter chat, a Twitter rally continually blasts information on a specific topic for a short period of time. The MTSU Twitter Rally information will be related to the “It’s On Us” campaign.

To keep up with National Week of Action events, follow Twitter accounts @MTSUSGA or @MTSUFSL in addition to the hashtag #ItsOnUsMTSU. For more information, contact Donald Abels, interim director of fraternity and sorority life, at 615-898-5812 or donald.abels@mtsu.edu or go to www.mtsu.edu/fsl/itsonus.php.

— Gina K. Logue (gina.logue@mtsu.edu)