STAAR finds a few 'real new'

and Jennifer Taylor The search for "The Real Men of Penn" has finally been completed. Fourteen University students have been commended for their strong support of the anti-sexual violence campaign organized by Students Together Against Acquaintance Rape. After a half-hour delay because of technical difficulties -- which were largely compensated for with good food supplied by Hillel -- the men were ceremoniously presented yesterday with a plaque honoring each as a "real man." A large poster featuring a picture of each man and his views on how to end sexual violence will be posted across campus today. According to College senior Zachary Liff, a STAAR executive board member and "Real Men" coordinator, it is important for males -- as well as females -- to take responsibility for ending sexual violence. "We as men must challenge traditional notions of masculinity," Liff said. "Everyone on campus knows me as the rape guy," he added. "There is a stigma attached to this kind of work." Liff said he hopes this poster will change males' reluctance to become involved in these issues. As organizer of yesterday's event, Liff introduced keynote speaker Susan Villari, director of health education and one of the 1989 founders of STAAR. Villari emphasized the important role students play in advancing the movement against rape. She explained that groups like STAAR re-sensitize people to such issues. "We can't underestimate the power of student movement," Villari said. Following her speech, STAAR members introduced each of the "real men" with a brief description of their accomplishments. College junior Michael Coffey, one of the "real men," said he supports the University's women's movement. "I support women on this campus and what they do," he said. "[I hope that] someone does that for my sisters, wherever they might be." Wharton junior Dan Debicella, another "real man," voiced his concern as well. "This is not a conservative, liberal or feminist issue," he said. "This is a human issue we all need to be concerned with." The "Real Men" campaign was adapted from a similar project at Rutgers University. "There is a lot of support [for the project] and it was really great to be in a room with such cool people who understand the issues," said College junior Jennifer Manion, editor-in-chief of the campus women's magazine, Generation XX. The students were nominated by students and faculty. About 50 applications were submitted to be reviewed by a committee made up of members of STAAR, the University-wide Sexual Violence Task Force, the Vice Provost for University Life, members of the Penn Women's Center, the Office of Health Education and the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs. More than 50 students attended the ceremony. Other celebrated "real men" included Law School graduate student Gons Nachman, College and Wharton senior Vivek Tiwary, Nursing graduate student Joel Tumberello, College juniors Eric Austin, Chris Lake, Dave Treat, College seniors Stephen Houghton and Riaz Patel, Nursing junior Charles Huckel, School of Social Work graduate student Stephen Perry, School of Arts and Sciences graduate student Eric Brandt and College sophomore Rob Faunce.