'No' means no, but interpretation of effective consent differs at Elon
Consent is sexy. The head nod, the squeeze of the hand, the wink. According to Elon University policy, these simple signs can't be interpreted as effective consent in the absence of a verbal, active "yes." But the charges assigned — or not assigned — to students accused of nonconsensual sexual acts don't always reflect what is mandated by university policy. On Elon's Sexual and Relationship Violence Awareness and Response website, effective consent is defined as an active, verbal, uncoerced "yes" in the absence of substances such as alcohol and is required at each stage of sexual advancement. Effective consent is clearly stated in the student handbook as a necessity for students to proceed physically in accordance with the Honor Code.













