What role do Western University's fraternities have in ending gender-based violence?

The University Students' Council (USC) at Western University has tabled a motion to limit its ties with the school's fraternities and sororities.

The consideration comes on the heels of last month's sexual assault allegations, although USC president Zamir Fakirani says the two are unrelated. 

"This motion was a response to students hoping for the USC to formally define our relationship with Greek Life, but was not a response to any allegations of wrongdoing in relation to recent events," said Fakirani.

The student union doesn't ratify fraternities or sororities as it does other clubs. But through an informal process, it offers fraternities subsidized space in the University Community Centre, supports their recruitment efforts and gives a number of non-voting positions to fraternity members on council. 

That could change when the motion is debated during the next council meeting on Oct. 27.

"I've been hearing from students that we should be improving our relationship with Greek Life, but I've also been hearing the opposite — that we should be cutting ties," said Fakirani.

"A lot of it revolves around the role Greek Life plays in promoting the culture we have on our campus, whether that's with respect to drinking or partying, or often times consent," he said. "We know that any time and any place alcohol is served, the likelihood of gender-based violence occurring is intensified."