“It’s On Us” Leads Title IX Walk

Marist students pose with a banner while on the Title IX walk organized by the Title IX office and "It's On Us" club. Credit: Lilian DeFilippis '26

Marist College’s Title IX led a ‘Walk to end Sexual Violence’ across campus to kick off the semester on Sept 6.

Title IX partnered with the student-run club “It’s On Us” for the event starting outside Champagnat Hall. After several short speeches, the group began walking around campus, past Donnelly Hall, Lowell Thomas and around the library. 

The event was organized by Title IX Outreach Coordinator Eliza Benfer and gathered a large crowd, including many athletes from the various sports teams at Marist. 

Among the many students who joined the event was Paige Graff ’24, the Vice President of the Student Well-Being Student Government Association (SGA). As a representative for SGA, she helped promote and set up the event with hopes to “get more visibility to survivors [showing] that there are a lot of resources on campus to help them.” 

Kyle Neblo ’25, a student who came to support the event, remarked how large the turnout was this semester. “Showing support for survivors can be as easy as just showing up for an event like this,” said Neblo. “Just be present.” 

“Survivors know when people show up to things like this and when they don’t,” said Benfer after the walk. “So when they see an outpouring of support the way we saw tonight…you can’t beat that.” 

The growing communication between the Title IX office and student-led clubs has sparked more participation in organized events. “We’ve partnered with all the campus groups that we can, especially It’s On Us,” said Kelly Yough, Title IX coordinator.

Last semester, the Title IX office and It’s On Us club had few chances to collaborate. While often advocating for similar messages, the organizations had limited opportunities to coincide.

With a new partnership established, Marist students can expect more planned events in the future. As October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Title IX office plans to have events like “Dogs Against Domestic Violence.” Additionally, during Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April, they plan on having an event at least once a week. 

The best way to keep informed about such future events is through Title IX’s Instagram, which posts updates and important information. 

For students looking to contact Title IX, their office makes itself accessible to anyone in need. “We pretty much have an open door policy; we’re here all the time,” said Yough. “Anyone who needs to see us, we’ll make time, and they can come down and come in.” 

Events like the walk are intended to show support and solidarity between the Title IX office and the Marist community. “Honestly, it just gives voices to survivors, a voice so they feel heard and to know that they’re not alone,” said Diana Kreismanis ’24.

Benfer suggests that students keep an eye out for correspondence from their office and continue to take action. “Even if everyone just does one little thing,” said Benfer, “we can make sure that we’re actively combating rape culture.” 

“Just making sure that we’re all playing our own part because, as it says, it’s on us to support everybody and end that kind of culture,” said Benfer.