On April 4, 2011, all institutions of higher learning in the U.S. received what is now known as the “Dear Colleague Letter.”

This letter, issued by the U.S. Department of Education, outlines policies and procedures pertaining to sexual assault. It mandates that all federally-funded institutions include certain requirements in their daily-functioning policies.

Saint Louis University is subject to this “Dear Colleague Letter,” and while we are making efforts to comply with these regulations, it should be noted that the University was already working toward more effective policies on the issue of sexual assault.

The formation of the Sexual Assault Working Group has been monumental in the changes that are now in place. This group of faculty, staff, administrators and students has worked to create changes in University policies and protocols to encourage the establishment of a safe, secure campus environment.

To address some opinions raised about the recent changes in our sexual assault policy, we offer you a “Dear Fellow Billikens” letter:

Dear Fellow Billikens,

The time for change is upon us. The shifting of our culture is long overdue. The discussion about sexual assault needs to be had now. Yet, what can we use as a motivator for a cohesive action as a community? It is simple. The recently-updated sexual assault policy is what we will use as our rallying call, as a University and a collective group of humans.

The policy is not intended to be used as a weapon against an individual in a situation or to instill fear.  Instead, it is used as a reminder of the dismal reality that 20 percent of women, and nearly 6 percent of men, will be sexually assaulted during their college careers.

That statistic is not acceptable, and the inclusion of any member of our SLU community in it cannot be tolerated. However, we cannot move forward until we are all aware of and understand fully what the policy expects of our behaviors.

The policy is not a tool to make “sex entirely unsexy” or to impose any “paternalistic” practices, as noted in a commentary last week. The policy goes through great measures to explain that the understanding of consent has evolved for the better, and that our culture is changing.

The only thing “unsexy” about the policy is its font choice, but even that could be argued. No longer should “sexy” be thought of as sexual activity that does not require active participation from both parties. Thus, we can revisit the definition of consent, as described in the policy.

It is the “explicit, verbal agreement to engage in, and continue to engage in sexual activity… [and] may be withdrawn at any time… [It is the] responsibility of the initiating party to obtain the affirmative consent of the other party throughout the duration.”

To summarize, yes means yes and a single instance does not set precedent for future encounters. This is based on the notion that human beings are not things that can be used over again, just because they were used before.

Emotions, situations, affinity and affection are all factors that vary and fluctuate with individuals.Consent is sexy. Consent is important. Consent needs to be protected, for it is the most critical factor in acquaintance rape charges.

A grim 90 percent of sexual assaults on college campuses involve an individual the victim knew prior to the event. This fact is abhorrent and should be used as a motivation to end the lackadaisical approach we currently have in regards to protecting each other.

Only we can create change. Not I, not you, not he, not she. Only we have the ability to construct an environment, where all individuals are safe, secure and protected.  Only we can foster a community and a culture that stands against the disregard of the inherent human dignity of all individuals.

This is our SLU. Let us stand together against all injustices to protect each and every individual. Let us rally one another to continue bettering our community. Let us eliminate the culture of past. Let us say yes.

Kripa Sreepada, Sean Worley, and Cheryl Sullivan are student members of the University Sexual Assault Working Group.