Opinion: The Howl is a barrier for stopping sexual assault 

While the issue of sexual harassment isn’t a new one, recent social movements and university initiatives have drawn more attention to the problem of sexual misconduct in universities. 

In general, universities try to foster safe environments for students to learn, but school isn’t all about earning a degree. The social aspect of college is important, which is why Utah State University holds its annual Halloween event known as the Howl. 

The Howl is a big deal at USU. The event draws thousands of students, not just from USU but also from all across the state, who are all looking for a good time. USU recognizes that the Howl offers a good opportunity for students to get away from tedious homework and monotonous studying for midterms. 

Unfortunately, the Howl is often accompanied by increased reports of sexual harassment and assault, such as the three assaults reported at the 2019 Howl. 

Compared to the swarms of students attending, there are only a handful of security officers and student volunteers to monitor the Howl. There are going to be parts of the event that will not have complete security. With security gaps, there are bound to be problems. 

USU isn’t ignorant of the problem and has been implementing new policies regarding the Howl in an attempt to limit sexual misconduct. The proposed changes have usually been about increasing surveillance coverage and making crowded places like the dancefloor easier to monitor. Recent coronavirus regulations have also limited ticket sales to exclusively USU students. 

These policies might reduce the number of sexual harassments, but it won’t stop the problem.  

USU could assign more security officers or more surveillance measures, but realistically there isn’t a way to have every part of the Howl be safe at all times without interfering with student enjoyment at the event.  

The Howl will always present a huge logistical problem in reducing sexual assault. It might reduce the risk of sexual assault if the event was shortened or canceled if behavior doesn’t improve. 

Around half of the sexual assaults in college occur between midnight and 6 a.m. If the duration of the Howl was shorter, then students would be less likely to be active during the riskier hours of the night. 

If shortening the Howl doesn’t yield positive results, it is possible that canceling the event or drastically increasing the number of student volunteers might incentivize problematic Howl participants to be on better behavior. 

Alternatively, student intervention is a valuable tool. Most people at the Howl just want to have fun and enjoy some time away from schoolwork. Don’t let your peers ruin the event by acting up, especially if what they are doing is criminal and seriously harms other students. 

The Howl is meant to encourage student wellness and give students time for some fun during the busy fall semester. If we as a student body can’t guarantee the safety of our fellow students at this event, then now might be a good time to start seriously thinking about ways to fix the issue. 

Bryant Saunders is a computer science major. He is a member of Utah State Speech and Debate and has an enthusiasm for discussing philosophy and politics.