When people think of their next steps after high school, most people think of a gap year because who wants to go to more school after going to school for ten years? But the other majority is excited to continue with school in order to achieve their goals in their future careers.  When touring your future colleges you think of the scenery, the dorms and how small they are, and the opportunities that are presented to you; but when you tour that college do you think of the danger that you could possibly be putting yourself into? 

Rape culture has been normalized and covered up by many colleges.  At the University of Lincoln, a fraternity Phi Gamma Delta also known as Fiji is an example.  Certain members of Fiji have been accused of committing rape crimes and violating students on campus, Fiji was previously suspended in 2017 for violating University policy. They were suspended for alcohol abuse, hazing, and sexual assault and harassment allegations. They were then reinstated in 2020.  

When the rape accusations were leaked to the students on campus students were enraged.  After the first report that someone was sexually assaulted by one of the member’s students began to protest.  August 31 is when the first protest occurred.  Protesters were protesting to get the fraternity permanently banned from the UNL campus. 2021 Abraham Lincoln graduate Shaelynn Barba spoke out on her experience at one of the protests.  

“I think it is extremely important to go to those protests if you are able, we need to show these boys that what they are doing is not acceptable,” Barba said. “The first protest was huge. It started with chants but escalated to breaking windows and kicking the door down which in my opinion was totally justified.”  

2021 Abraham Lincoln graduate Shelby Wilfong thinks protesters wanted to make sure the girls know they are heard. They wanted to make it very clear that sexual assault should not be tolerated in any way.

“I went to the protest to not only support the issue of sexual assault but to help stand up for the girls who have been victims of sexual assault,” Wilfong said. “Also to let them know that there are thousands of others supporting them making sure they know that they are not alone.”