EDUCATION

Fraternity parties back at UC Berkeley with new guidelines

Associated Press
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A sign hangs outside the decorated Theta Delta Chi fraternity near the University of California, Berkeley campus Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016, in Berkeley, Calif. UC Berkeley's fraternity and sorority parties are back on this weekend, after a weeklong self-imposed ban. But there will be new guidelines that members say are aimed at eliminating sexual assaults.(AP Photo/Eric Risberg) (The Associated Press)

A woman walks down Channing Way past fraternities near the University of California, Berkeley campus Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016, in Berkeley, Calif. UC Berkeley's fraternity and sorority parties are back on this weekend, after a weeklong self-imposed ban. But there will be new guidelines that members say are aimed at eliminating sexual assaults.(AP Photo/Eric Risberg) (The Associated Press)

A trash bin is filled along Channing Way outside fraternities near the University of California, Berkeley campus Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016, in Berkeley, Calif. UC Berkeley's fraternity and sorority parties are back on this weekend, after a weeklong self-imposed ban. But there will be new guidelines that members say are aimed at eliminating sexual assaults.(AP Photo/Eric Risberg) (The Associated Press)

Fraternity and sorority parties are back on this weekend at the University of California, Berkeley, after a one-week suspension, but with new guidelines aimed at keeping fraternity row free of sexual violence.

Berkeley's Greek system imposed a voluntary ban on parties a week ago, after two women reported being sexually assaulted at off-campus fraternity houses.

Panhellenic Council president, Divya Thomas, said Thursday that guests will be greeted at the front door with "consent talks," as part of the guidelines drawn up last weekend in a meeting with the Interfraternity Council, which represents the school's fraternities.

Thomas said the brief talk will focus on what consent means, and will encourage "bystander intervention," meaning: If you see something, say something.

Also, at least three "sober monitors" will be required at every party.