Monday marked the occasion of an unprecedented event. Accordingto signs around campus the performance was “mandatory,”but only 800 or so of the 1300 freshman attended theperformance.

Violence against women on college campuses ranks among the mostpressing issues concerning university students today. According tothe Men Against Sexual Assault Web site, one of every five collegewomen will experience rape.

The question remains of whether any special interest group has aright to require the attendance of all freshmen.

Perhaps the “mandatory” label was just a bluff toget unmotivated first-year students out for the performance.Obviously about 500 freshmen did not buy into the claim of acompulsory event.

While it’s important that incoming students are exposed toinformation and educated about the reality of rape, many may resistthe thought of an outside-of-school requirement.

If “You the Man” is to impact a majority of studentswith a powerful and lasting affect, it needs a new approach, not anidle threat of forced attendance.

When talking about rape and violence against women in Wellnessclasses, a video of the play should be shown as a supplement to thediscussion.

Perhaps AARO sessions could include a performance, orparticipation on the part of students in discussions after viewingthe play.

The Women’s Center, which sponsored the event, could workwith Resident Life and Student Housing to organize and stageperformances within the residence halls where first-years are sureto be lurking.

Maybe next time upperclassmen could be invited to theperformance as well.

According to statistics, in a sorority house of 100 women, 20will be sexually assaulted. With statistics like that, howdifficult would it be to garner support from sororities; theirinvolvement would be a persuasive selling point for the event, andincrease social pressure to attend.

Whatever the method, violence against women must be preventedthrough awareness, education and open discussion.