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Being Responsible
U-M SDT chapter hosts event
aimed at bystander intervention.
Ronelle Grier
Contributing Writer
S
ay something, do something,
tell someone" — that was the
message of a recent bystander
intervention program for University of
Michigan students sponsored by the U-M
chapter of Sigma Delta Tau sorority.
More than 400 students gathered in the
ballroom of the Michigan Union to hear
guest speaker Mike Dilbeck, award-win-
ning video producer and founder of "The
Revolution for Courageous Leadership:'
a movement designed to motivate indi-
viduals, corporations and communi-
ties to intervene in situations involving
unhealthy or abusive behavior.
The April 13 program was the kickoff
to a larger initiative called "Speak Up!
Michigan," an ongoing campaign focus-
ing on helping students make a positive
impact in areas that affect students and
campus life.
"Speak Up! Michigan" was launched
by the sorority in the aftermath of the
vandalism that occurred during a ski
trip attended by members of the Sigma
Alpha Mu (SAM) fraternity and Sigma
Delta Tau sorority last January at the
Treetops resort in Gaylord. As a result of
the extensive damage done to 45 rooms
in the resort, the U-M SAM chapter was
disbanded by the fraternity's national
organization and criminal charges were
filed against three of its members.
The SDT chapter was placed on a two-
year disciplinary suspension by the uni-
versity, which prohibits recruitment and
social activities, although no charges were
filed against any of its members. Other
sanctions included community service
and educational sessions.
The cost to repair the damages —
smashed furniture and cupboards, broken
ceiling tiles and light fixtures, and ruined
carpeting — was estimated at $230,000.
The resort is also claiming another
$200,000 in loss of business and harm to
Jessie Klein, U-M SDT chapter
president; Michelle Carlson, SDT
national president; and speaker Mike
Dilbeck
reputation.
National SDT has called the two-year
disciplinary suspension "unreasonable,"
stating that members who attended the
ski weekend did not play a part in the
damage and attempted to intervene to
the best of their ability. While the chapter
may continue to work with the university
to resolve this issue, National President
Michelle Carlson, who attended Dilbeck's
presentation, said the chapter has decided
to focus its energies on making a positive
impact on campus life.
Making A Difference
"The women of SDT want to empower
the campus, to really make a differ-
ence, not just look at the sanctions:' said
Carlson, who added that the national
organization has been a longtime spon-
sor of Dilbeck's leadership program. "I'm
really proud of the chapter and impressed
that the Greek organizations want to take
a stand and go above and beyond"
Dilbeck, who has spread his message to
more than half a million students across
the United States, said there are three par-
ties to every incident: the perpetrator(s),
the victim(s) and the bystander(s).
"The bystanders, that's the party we're
not talking enough about:' he said. "There
is a moment of time where you make a
choice about what kind of bystander you
want to be. Why do we make the wrong
choice? Fear. But the impact of that is
shame, guilt and regret."
Members of several other U-M sorori-
ties, as well as some former members of
the defunct SAM chapter, attended the
presentation, which was planned by U-M
SDT executive board members.
"It was so nice to see the support from
our community, centralised on such an
important topic:' said SDT U-M chapter
president Jessie Klein, a sophomore from
Scotch Plains, N.J.
The "Speak Up! Michigan" initiative
will continue in the fall. SDT members
will work with other campus groups to
create programs and events designed to
raise awareness about bystander interven-
tion, such as what to do at a party where
inappropriate or illegal behavior is occur-
ring. Some events will be geared specifi-
cally for incoming freshman, providing
education on how to react in uncomfort-
able or dangerous situations.
"We know we cannot stop harassment,
abuse, addiction or bad behavior, but we
can do what we can based on what we
will learn to arm students at Michigan
and other universities to become more
aware and to empower students to speak
up when others donr Carlson said.
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May 21 • 2015
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