Thoroughly combatting sexual assault on college campuses is a continuous process of assessing the effectiveness of anti-assault polices, programs and resources. And when a model program at a Syracuse University peer institution has demonstrated the power of empowered bystanders, the introduction of such a program to the SU campus should be considered.

A student non-profit called Cayuga’s Watchers at Cornell University trains students to observe social events hosted by campus student groups that could require interventions on the grounds of safety. Using a non-confrontational, peer-to-peer framework, paid and sober monitors can be requested for a function to blend in among partygoers to prevent sexual assault, excessive alcohol consumption and other concerning behaviors.

Though a student-driven group designated to social events may not prevent each and every incident that takes place at a social event in close proximity of the Syracuse University campus, there is always room to improve the university community’s approach to confronting sexual assault — efforts that can be realistically evaluated by using institutions like Cornell University as sources for comparison.

During Cornell’s Wet Week, the week after the new member period for students involved in Greek life, Cayuga’s Watchers were requested to staff 16 social events and reported 115 interventions, 12 of which were against unwanted sexual advances, according to USA Today.

The watchers pose as an alternative to “sober monitors,” who may wear neon yellow t-shirts to be identified, which are required at social events hosted by active fraternity chapters at Cornell. Intervention techniques include distracting someone from drinking excessively or joining a couple dancing together to naturally split them up if uncomfortable body language coming from either party is sensed.

Like Cornell, “sober monitors” with distinctive clothing are currently listed as a requirement under policies section of SU’s Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs website. Considering that student intervention is a key component of measures against sexual assault, the assessment of the feasibility and ways in which a similar peer-to-peer initiative could fit into the SU campus climate should be gauged.