Describe your program and how it enhanced student life at OSU.
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes(R) is the The International Men's March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault & Gender Violence, and was facilitated for the first time at Ohio State this past October by the OSU Interfraternity Council. Derived from the familiar proverb that you can't really understand someone else until you walk a mile in their shoes, this program challenged Ohio State men and the OSU Interfraternal community to literally walk one mile in women's high heeled shoes through and about some of campus's most renowned landmarks - the Oval, Mirror Lake, High Street, and more - to raise awareness for sexual violence. Thanks to the contributions of nearly 200 participants and hundreds more in attendance, the Interfraternity Council was able to donate $2,000 to the efforts of Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio (SARNCO), whose representatives also provided an educational opening presentation to those who attended the march. Walkers were lent large-sized, red striped heels for the trek, and, to commemorate their participation, were gifted long sleeve t-shirts imprinted with a specially designed Ohio State Walk a Mile in Her Shoes logo and shoe-shaped stress balls exhibiting the IFC Logo in addition to being fed Furthermore, at the conclusion of the program, the Student Wellness Center led a reflective discussion to drive home the point that rape and sexual assault affect us all, not just women.
Why is this program the most outstanding at OSU? How does it actively involve students, embrace the university initiatives of diversity and/or collaborate with other organizations or university departments?
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes (R) was a uniquely planned event in that it served to enhance diversity, social interaction, learning, and service both on campus and throughout the Columbus Community as a whole. The event was marketed to and benefited by participation from all four OSU Greek Councils (The Interfraternity Council, the Multi-Cultural Greek Council, the Panhellenic Association, and the Pan-Hellenic Council), the entire OSU student body, and the city of Columbus. Although the goal of the march was to get men to walk a mile in heels, women were also encouraged to come and participate by sponsoring the men marching and walking alongside them - in the comfort of their own sneakers! This event also acted to satisfy one of the primary goals of the OSU Interfraternity Council - to bolster relations between OSU Greeks and the OSU student population, while also inviting the entire community to come out and participate. Additionally, "Walk a Mile" promoted awareness of a very applicable cause: rape, sexual assault, and gender violence. Thanks to help from our beneficiary (The Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio - SARNCO), The Student Wellness Center, The Student Health Center, OUAB, and the Undergraduate Student Government, we were able to provide a multitude to different educational materials and presentations to those who attended the program. Furthermore, we were able to raise $2000 for SARNCO, and establish a relationship that should foster future philanthropic and service opportunities.
Ohio Union 1961 Tuttle Park Place (Ohio Stadium) Columbus, OH 43210 (614) 292-7924 Contact Form
